Relationship between hypertension and geographic altitude: a cross-sectional survey among residents in Tibet

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of hypertension (HT) among individuals living at different altitudes in Tibet. METHODS: We conducted a stratified cluster survey among 1,631 participants in Tibet living in areas at three different altitudes. RESULTS: Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) values were highest at the lowest altitudes. After adjusting for age and sex, the prevalence of HT at low, medium, and high altitudes was 40.6%, 32.5%, and 20.4%, respectively. The prevalence of HT decreased with increasing altitude and increased with increasing age and BMI value. CONCLUSION: Increasing altitude tended to decrease BMI levels, and as a consequence, the prevalence of HT was reduced. National policies and guidelines for HT in Tibet should focus on this relationship.