Prevalence, risk factors and awareness of hypertension in India: a systematic review

Abstract

Indians have high rates of cardiovascular disease. Hypertension (HTN) is an important modifiable risk factor. There are no comprehensive reviews or a nationally representative study of the burden, treatments and outcomes of HTN in India. A systematic review was conducted to study the trends in prevalence, risk factors and awareness of HTN in India. We searched MEDLINE from January 1969 to July 2011 using prespecified medical subject heading (MeSH) terms. Of 3372 studies, 206 were included for data extraction and 174 were observational studies. Prevalence was reported in 48 studies with sample size varying from 206 to 167 331. A significant positive trend (P<0.0001) was observed over time in prevalence of HTN by region and gender. Awareness and control of HTN (11 studies) ranged from 20 to 54% and 7.5 to 25%, respectively. Increasing age, body mass index, smoking, diabetes and extra salt intake were common risk factors. In conclusion, from this systematic review, we record an increasing trend in prevalence of HTN in India by region and gender. The awareness of HTN in India is low with suboptimal control rates. There are few long-term studies to assess outcomes. Good quality long-term studies will help to understand HTN better and implement effective prevention and management programs.

Prevalence of hypertension in an area of urban Varanasi, India and its association with selected demographic factors

“…2,6,7,11,12 Several studies and non-communicable diseases country profile, 2011 highlights alarming situation due to hypertension. 2,8,13,14 Using JNC VII classification-half of the subjects were normotensive. 10 Nearly 3 out of 10 subjects were hypertensive; two third of them were in stage 1 hypertension.…”

Prevalence of hypertension and its risk factors among school teachers in Dhaka, Bangladesh

“…These findings are similar to other studies among adults in Bangladesh and India. 33,39 There were certain limitations in this study. First of all, cross-sectional study design limits the drawing of causal inferences.…”

Impact of Yogic Intervention on Mild Hypertensive Patients

“…2 Cardiovascular diseases prevalence is high in Indians, among the sean important modifiable risk factor is Hypertension. 3 High blood pressure is the most common chronic illness in the United States. 4 It is a condition that is common among people over the age of 35.…”