Prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in a population over the age of 65 years

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Abstract
Objective To assess the prevalence of hypertension and isolated systolic hypertension and the level of awareness, treatment and control of hypertension, in a population aged over 65 years. Design Cross-sectional survey of the total population aged ≥65 years of two Bavarian villages with a representative age distribution. Patients From a total of 1190 inhabitants aged ≥65 years, 982 (394 male, 588 female) participated (response rate 82.5%). Methods All of the participants were visited at home by physician observers. After a standardized questionnaire, blood pressure was measured three times on one occasion with the subject in the sitting position, using a standard mercury sphygmomanometer. ‘Actual’ hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥160 or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥95 mmHg, or both, or current use of antihypertensive drugs given for the indication hypertension in patients with blood pressure 50%, remains the most common cardiovascular risk factor in the elderly. Although most elderly hypertensives are currently treated with antihypertensive agents, less than one-quarter are controlled, and more than one-third are still unaware of the diagnosis. These levels of awareness and control call for better strategies in the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension in the elderly.

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