[Prevalence of arterial hypertension in Araraquara, Brazil].
OBJECTIVE
To study the prevalence of high blood pressure (HBP) in Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil.


METHODS
Cross sectional study: cluster equiprobabilistic sampling of 1.8% of the urban population aged 15-74 years, old (1.199 adults: 533 men and 66 women). For each subject, an interview was performed, with the fulfilling of a questionnaire; measures of blood pressure (BP, systolic and 2nd diastolic) as well as height and weight were taken. Criteria of definition for HBP were those of WHO (greater than or equal to 160/95).


RESULTS
Systolic BP (mean +/- standard error) for men 137.6 +/- 0.8 mmHg, and for women 130.9 +/- 1.0 mmHg. Second diastolic BP for men 88.5 +/- 0.5 mmHg and for women 84.0 +/- 0.6 mmHg. Prevalence of definite HBP: 32.0% of men and 25.3% women (28.3% both sexes). Prevalence of borderline HBP; 18.7% of men and 12.0% of women (14.8% for both sexes). The greater part of hypertensives (68.3%) was of mild cases (less than 105 mmHg the second diastolic BP).


CONCLUSIONS
It is the highest prevalence of HBP in Brazil described till now, and, therefore, an important public health problem.
de Lolio
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Faculdade de Saúde Publica, São Paulo.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012737:Sex Factors
Prevalência da hipertensão arterial em Araraquara.