Blood pressure and hypertension distribution in a lower middle class urban community in Pakistan.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the awareness level, blood pressure profile and its correlates in Metroville Health Study and to compare the results with those of Pakistan National Health Survey and National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of USA.


METHODS
Sample consisted of 400 households of Metroville, included after informed consent. Demographic data was collected and Blood pressure, Cholesterol, Blood Glucose, Height and weight were measured. Obesity was calculated as BMI. The results were compared with those of the Pakistan National Health Survey and National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of USA.


RESULTS
For both sexes and all age groups, hypertension was more prevalent in MHS than Pakistan National Health Survey (PNHS) and U.S. MHS hypertensives were more likely to be aware of and treated for their condition than hypertensives of PNHS, but less likely than U.S. hypertensives. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) rose with increased age in all three populations. Blood pressure also rose with increased body mass index (BMI) in MHS as well as PNHS and NHANES, with little differences in the degree of rise among them. A one-kg/Height (in m approximately) increment in BMI was associated with a 0.40-0.67 mmHg increment in systolic pressure in men and a 0.56-0.74 mmHg increment in women. The main difference between USA and two Pakistani surveys was the level of DBP, which was significantly higher in Pakistani Surveys than NHANES, for both men and women.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of Hypertension in Metroville was high. It showed a quantitative relationship to increasing age and BMI. Hypertension and obesity were the major public health problems in the lower middle class community of Metroville. It is recommended that awareness should be increased and preventive measures implemented.
Aziz
Kalim uddin
Ku
Department of Cardiology, N.I.C.V.D., Karachi.
Faruqui
Azhar Masood A
AM
Teri
Manolio
M
Davis
C E
CE
Abenathy
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*