PREVALENCE, PATIENT AWARENESS AND CONTROL RATES OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE IN THE ADULT POPULATION OF TEHRAN: A REPORT FROM THE TEHRAN BLOOD PRESSURE S TUDY, 1990-19911

The "Tehran Blood Pressure Study" (TBPS) is an observational cross-sectional study performed on men and women aged 15 years or more during the years 1990-1991. The study has been designed and performed by the Tehran University of Medical Sciences' Cardiovascular Research Center, with the primary objective of determining the prevalence and distribution of high blood pressure in Tehrani adults. In addition, awareness levels, control rates, and the prevalence of other cardiovascular risk factors among those with high blood pressure, as well as associations between blood pressure (BP) levels and certain epidemiologic and anthropometric factors have been studied. The study population comprised 10180 male and female inhabitants of Tehran aged above 15, selected by random sampling in 50 districts of the city. The mean and the 95% confidence interval for systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were 123 (122.8-123.4) and 75.4 (75.2-75.6), respectively. The prevalence of high blood pressure (SBP≥ 140 mmHg or DBP> 90 mmHg or drug consumption) was 17.6% in males, 17.9% in females, and 17.7% in generaL About 47% of the patients with high DBP readings were aware of their condition. In 20% of these, control of hypertension had been achieved by drug therapy in 11 %, drug therapy had failed to control hypertension, and 16% were not receiving treatment despite their awareness. High body mass index and a history of diabetes were more frequent in those with high BP readings than the general population. Of those with high BP readings, most had only mild elevations of BP (90≤ DBP≤99 or 140≤SBP≤159). Isolated high systolic blood pressure (SBP ≥140 mm Hg and DBP< 90 mmHg) was found in 36% of females and 30% of males aged above 64. The noticeable prevalence of high BP, the remarkable prevalence of isolated high systolic blood pressure in the elderly, the very low level of patient awareness and low control rates all necessitate the adoption of appropriate personal and community health policies.