Biblioteca Virtual en Salud

AIMS:

Hypertension remains as a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity in MÚxico. The Health National Survey 2000 of MÚxico was performed to analyze the current status of the prevalence of some risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension (HTA), obesity, smoking, and proteinuria.

METHODS:

A National Survey was carried out in MÚxico where 45,300 individuals between 20 to 69-y.o. were screened. The estimated sample size was calculated considering the total number of persons into the mentioned age; a minimal prevalence of 6 of the included risk factors, at a significance level of 0.05; a maximum relative error of 0.145, and a rate of response of at least 70. Diagnosis of HTA was accepted in previous medical diagnosis with prescription of antihypertensive drugs, or high blood pressure (> or = 140/90 mmHg) detected during the interview. Data were adjusted for the national distribution of age-groups and gender (established in 2000, INEGI).

RESULTS:

38,377 (98.8) individuals were correctly screened for blood pressure. The prevalence of hypertension in MÚxico was 30.05 (34.2 in men and 26.3 in women). The prevalence was directly related with age and gender. The percentage of mexicans with HTA after 50-y.o. is > 50. The prevalence was greater in women after 50-y.o. Among persons with hypertension, treatment was detected in 46 and approximately 20 of them were controlled (< 140/90 mmHg). The percentage of mexicans with HTA who were unaware that they have high blood pressure was 61. The total percentage of HTA controlled was 14.6. The North states had the greater prevalence (approximately 34) of HTA while South states had the lower prevalence (27). The odds ratio (age/sex-adjusted) for HTA were for diabetes 1.54(CI95, 1.44-1.63); for obesity 2.3 (CI 95, 2.22-2.43); for smoking 1.26 (CI 95, 1.21-1.32). For proteinuria subjects, 40 had HTA.

CONCLUSIONS:

Around 15 millions of mexicans between 20 to 69-y.o. had hypertension, 60 of them are unaware. The prevalence of hypertension in MÚxico (30.05) has increased. Among persons with hypertension -15 are controlled. The North of MÚxico has the higher prevalence of hypertension. Diabetes, smoking, and obesity increase the risk of hypertension. The 2000 National Survey of Health shows the epidemiological trend in several important chronic diseases in MÚxico and declare an urgent need of new strategies for detection, control and treatment of hypertension.