Hypertension Epidemic and Risk Factors in Nanyang City of Henan Province

Objective To assess the relationship between hypertension and related risk factors in middle and old-age rural residents of Nanyang city, and to provide reference for hypertension prevention and control program. Methods Using random cluster sampling, a total number of 6 151 local residents aged over 40 in one district of Nanyang city were selected. Data on BMI, hypertension prevalence, age, sex were collected and analyzed. Results Among 6 151 residents, 717 were found with critical value (13.0%) and 2 943 were found with hypertension (47.8%). The light hypertension (first class hypertension) accounted for 74.7%. The medium hypertension (second class hypertension) and serious hypertension (third class hypertension) only accounted for 25.3%. Hypertension morbidity increased significantly with age. In every age group, the morbidity of female was higher than that of male. In the group with overweight (BMI≥25), the morbidity reached 61.4% (58.5% in the male and 63.7% in the female). Conclusion The high morbidity of hypertension is becoming one of the prominent public health problems in the region investigated. Age, sex and BMI are the major risk factors. It is necessary to strengthen the health education and intervention measures in population with critical value and light hypertension.