prevalence of hypertension in Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

Blood pressure [BP] is measured as part of a screening physical examination at the time of opening a family health record file in the Primary Health Care Centres [PHCC] of Almedina Almounawarah. We selectively screened Saudis in the 'high risk' age group [50-60 years]. The total number of the study sample was 1713 1021 males, 692 females [24.3% of the target population]. They were recalled and had their BP measured again using standard methods. On the basis of a single reading, the BP was known in 1495 [20.8% of the target population 880 [86.2%] of males 615 [88.8%] of females]. Hypertension, defined as receiving antihypertensive drug treatment or BP> 160/95 or both, was present in 10%, 6.8% and 14.6% of the total, male and female populations respectively. The percent period prevalence in subjects who had second BP readings was almost identical, there being an equal number of subjects with increased and decreased pressures. From the evidence we gathered, the prevalence of hypertension in Almedina Almounawarah is far less than that reported in British and American surveys. It is unknown whether other parts of the Kingdom have similar rates. Also it will be of great interest to evaluate, in future, the effects of a changing life-style, brought about by affluence, on the prevalence of hypertension