title: Results of the Ontario survey on the prevalence and control of hypertension.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Available information on the prevalence and management of hypertension in the Canadian population dates back to 1986-1992 and probably does not reflect the current status of this major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. We sought to evaluate the current prevalence and management of hypertension among adults in the province of Ontario.
  
  
  METHODS
  Potential respondents from randomly selected dwellings within target neighbourhoods in 16 municipalities were contacted at their homes to request participation in the study. For potential respondents who agreed to participate, blood pressure was measured with an automated device. Estimation weights were used to obtain representative estimates of population parameters. Responses were weighted to the total adult population in Ontario of 7,996,653.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From 6436 eligible dwellings, contact was made with 4559 potential participants, of whom 2992 agreed to participate. Blood pressure measurements were obtained for 2551 of these respondents (age 20-79 years). Hypertension, defined as systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or more, diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or more, or treatment with an antihypertensive medication, was identified in 21.3% of the population overall (23.8% of men and 19.0% of women). Prevalence increased with age, from 3.4% among participants 20-39 years of age to 51.6% among those 60-79 years of age. Hypertension was more common among black people and people of South Asian background than among white people; hypertension was also associated with higher body mass index. Among participants with hypertension, 65.7% were undergoing treatment with control of hypertension, 14.7% were undergoing treatment but the hypertension was not controlled, and 19.5% were not receiving any treatment (including 13.7% who were unaware of their hypertension). The extent of control of hypertension did not differ significantly by age, sex, ethnic background or comorbidities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In Ontario, the overall prevalence of hypertension is high in the older population but appears not to have increased in recent decades. Hypertension management has improved markedly among all age groups and for both sexes.
authors.affiliation: University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ont. fleenen@ottawaheart.ca
authors.forename: Frans H H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Leenen
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dumais
authors.forename: Natalie H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: McInnis
authors.forename: Penelope
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Turton
authors.forename: Lori
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stratychuk
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nemeth
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moy Lum-Kwong
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fodor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution