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Introduction and objectives. To determine the prevalence and geographic distribution of major cardiovascular risk factors in the Spanish population. To investigate whether geographic variability exists. Methods. Data were pooled from eight cross-sectional epidemiologic studies carried out in Spain between 1992 and 2001 whose methodological quality satisfied predefined criteria. Individual data were reassessed and analyzed by age group (20-44 years, 45-64 years, and [.greaterequal] 65 years), sex, and geographic area. The study population included 19 729 individuals. Mean values and unadjusted and adjusted prevalence rates were derived for various risk factors. Results. The most common cardiovascular risk factors in the Spanish population were, in descending order: hypercholesterolemia (ie, total cholesterol >200 mg/dL) in46.7%, hypertension in 37.6%, smoking in 32.2%, obesity in 22.8%, and diabetes mellitus in 6.2%. The mean values for blood pressure, body mass index, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and glycemia varied considerably with age, sex, and geographic area. The highest levels of cardiovascular risk factors were observed in Mediterranean and southeastern areas of the country and the lowest, in northern, and central areas. Conclusions. The prevalence of major cardiovascular risk factors in Spain was high. Their distribution varied considerably with geographic area. Resumen Introducción y objetivos. Estimar la prevalencia y la distribución geográfica de los principales factores de riesgo cardiovascular en la población española. Investigar la existencia de diferencias geográficas. Métodos. Agregación de ocho estudios epidemiológicos transversales, realizados en España entre 1992 y 2001, que superaron criterios de calidad metodológica. Reanálisis conjunto de los datos individuales por grupos de edad (20-44, 45-64 y [.greaterequal] 65 años), sexo y grandes áreas geográficas. Población de estudio: 19.729 sujetos. Estimación de valores medios y prevalencias crudas y ajustadas. Resultados. Por orden decreciente, los factores de riesgo cardiovascular más frecuentes en la población española fueron la hipercolesterolemia (colesterol total > 200 mg/dl, 46,7%), hipertensión arterial (37,6%), tabaquismo (32,2%), obesidad (22,8%) y diabetes mellitus (6,2%). Los valores medios de presión arterial, índice de masa corporal, colesterol de las lipoproteínas de alta densidad y glucemia varían ampliamente con la edad, el sexo y las áreas geográficas. La mayor carga de factores de riesgo cardiovascular se observa en las zonas sureste y mediterránea y la menor, en las áreas norte y centro. Conclusiones. En España la prevalencia de los principales factores de riesgo cardiovascular es elevada. Hay marcadas diferencias geográficas en su distribución.

A cross-sectional population survey using a random, stratified sample into phases was conducted in order to assess the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in Albacete (a south-eastern province in Spain) with 248000 inhabitants over 18 years of age. The sample size was of 1322 people. Both systolic and diastolic BP were higher in men than in women and showed an increasing trend with age independently of gender. Assuming a cut-off for hypertension of <140/90 mm Hg and <160/95 mm Hg, we found a prevalence of hypertension of 32.7% and 23.1%, respectively. Overall, 56.5% of hypertensive subjects were aware of their condition. The degree of this awareness was significantly higher in women and in the elderly. The percentage of patients who were receiving antihypertensive treatment was 49.1%. This proportion was also higher among women, elderly people, and subjects living in urban areas. High BP was successfully controlled in 10.9% of the total hypertensive population which accounted for 24.4% of the treated patients. The corresponding figures for the <160/95 mm Hg cut-off were 38.5% and 60.6%, respectively. In the logistic regression model, male gender and size of the local community were significantly associated with a better pharmacological control of hypertension. We found a high prevalence of hypertension with low degree of awareness and control, despite the general progress made in the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension in Spain. Specific intervention programs are necessary to increase the extent of control of hypertension in our country.

The self-measured BP at home values found in this study, when defining hypertension, are lower than values currently accepted (135/85 mmHg). Long-term studies are necessary to confirm these results.