Prevalence and management of hypertension in Central China: a cross-sectional survey

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess hypertension prevalence and management in Central China. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study conducted from February 2019 to February 2020, we applied stratified multistage random sampling to investigate residents aged 35 to 75 years in Dancheng county of Zhoukou city and Xincai county of Zhumadian city, both in Central China. RESULTS: We enrolled 63,940 participants in this survey. A total of 43.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 43.2–44.0) of participants had hypertension. Of these, 49.3% (95% CI: 48.7–49.9) were aware of their diagnosis, 36.5% (95% CI: 35.9–37.1) took antihypertensive medication, and 14.3% (95% CI: 13.9–14.7) had their blood pressure under control. Only 31.4% of hypertensive people receiving antihypertensive treatment had achieved control. The hypertension prevalence was lower in urban areas than in rural areas, with higher rates of awareness, treatment, and control. Among subgroups, rural men had the highest prevalence of hypertension. Prevalence, awareness, and treatment rates all increased with age, except for control rates, which declined in the 65- to 75-year-old group. CONCLUSIONS: People in Central China have a high hypertension prevalence but low rates of awareness, treatment, and control. Great effort is needed to improve the prevention and management of hypertension in this region.