Prevalence and treatment of hypertension in urban and riverside areas in Porto Velho, the Brazilian Amazon

Abstract

Introduction: Hypertension (HTN) is a preventable cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Objectives: To compare the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of HTN among urban and riverside populations in Porto Velho, Amazon region. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study between July and December 2013 based on a household survey of individuals aged 35–80 years. Interviews by using a standardized questionnaire, and blood pressure (BP), weight, height, and waist circumference measurements were performed. HTN was defined when individuals reported having the disease, received antihypertensive medications, or had a systolic BP ≥ 140 mm Hg or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mm Hg. Awareness was based on self-reports and the use of antihypertensive medications. Control was defined as a BP ≤ 140/90 mm Hg. Results: Among the 1410 participants, 750 (53.19%) had HTN and 473 (63.06%) had diagnosis awareness, of whom 404 (85.41%) received pharmacological treatment but with low control rate. The prevalence and treatment rates were higher in the urban areas (55.48% vs. 48.87% [p = 0.02] and 61.25% vs. 52.30% [p < 0.01], respectively). HTN awareness was higher in the riverside area (61.05% vs. 67.36% ; p < 0.01), but the control rates showed no statistically significant difference (22.11% vs. 23.43% ; p = 0.69). Conclusion: HTN prevalence was higher in the urban population than in the riverside population. Of the hypertensive individuals in both areas, <25% had controlled HTN. Comprehensive public health measures are needed to improve the prevention and treatment of systemic arterial HTN and prevent other cardiovascular diseases.

Keywords:

• Hypertension
• prevalence
• treatment
• cardiovascular
• prevention

Acknowledgment

This study received partial funding from the Education Program at Work in Healthcare of the Ministry of Health, Federal Government of Brazil. Conception and design of the experiments: Almeida RC and Coelho OR; data collection: Almeida RC, Dias DJL, Spesia CH, and Deguchi KTP; data analysis and interpretation: Almeida RC and Coelho OR; statistical analysis: Almeida RC and Coelho OR; writing of the manuscript: Almeida RC and Coelho OR; and critical revision of the manuscript regarding important intellectual content: Almeida RC and Coelho OR. The manuscript was not presented in part or in full at a meeting. This paper or a portion thereof were never been submitted for consideration by another journal. This manuscript is not a clinical trial.

Declaration of interest: The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents, received or pending, or royalties.