title: Arterial hypertension in workers: prevalence, awareness, treatment, control and heart changes.
abstract: Hypertension prevalence, awareness of high blood pressure, its treatment and control were estimated in 1100 workers, between the ages 35 and 59. Hypertension was defined as blood pressure > or = 160/95 mm Hg. The incidence of hypertensive heart disease was also investigated. All hypertensive persons were taken M-mode and 2-dimensional echocardiograms, electrocardiogram and chest X-ray. The criteria for both sexes were Casale's ECG for left ventricular hypertrophy and echocardiographic left ventricular mass index of 120 g/m or greater. The prevalence of hypertension was 14%. The percentage of persons who were aware of hypertension but did not receive treatment was 66%; 28% were treated but were not adequately controlled for high blood pressure. Only 6% of hypertensive workers received treatment and had high blood pressure under control. The prevalence of heart changes among the hypertensive workers as determined by echocardiographic standards was 67%, by electrocardiographic standards 19% and chest X-ray standards 29%. Systolic blood pressure was significantly related to ventricular mass (r = 0.34; 0.26) and voltage of R in a VL + S in V3 (r = 0.28; 0.24) in all hypertensive subjects, irrespective of treatment. Our study showed a high prevalence of hypertensive heart disease, 100% awareness of disorder and a low rate of treatment and control.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Faculty University of Zagreb, Clinical Hospital, Osijek, Croatia.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Catipović-Veselica
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Burić
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Skrinjarić-Cincar
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Catipović
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health