title: Prevalence and risk factors for prehypertension and hypertension in five Indian cities.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are few studies detailing the prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension in India.
  
  
  METHODS
  Men and women, over 25 years of age were included. After completion of a dietitian-administered questionnaire followed evaluation by a physician, physical examination and blood pressure measurement. Cross-sectional survey screened 6940 subjects, (3507 men (M), 3433 women (W): 1993-96) from cities located in five corners of India (Kolkata, n = 900; Nagpur, n = 894; Mumbai, n = 1542; Thiruanantpuram, n = 1602; Moradabad, n = 2002). Prehypertension (BP 130-139/85-89 mm Hg) and hypertension (BP > or = 140/90 mm Hg) were diagnosed according to the European Society of Cardiology criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension, respectively, was significantly greater in South India (Trivandrum:W 31.5; 31.9%; M 35.1; 35.5%) and West India (Mumbai: W 30.0; 29.1%; M 34.7; 35.6%) compared to North India (Moradabad: W 24.6; 24.5%; M 26.7; 27.0%) and East India (Kolkata: W 20.9; 22.4%; M 23.5; 24.0%). Subjects with prehypertension and hypertension were older, had a higher BMI, central obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. They had a higher salt and alcohol intake, with greater oral contraceptive usage (W). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed strong positive associations of hypertension with age, central obesity, BMI, sedentary lifestyle, salt and alcohol intake and oral contraceptive usage (W). Fruit, vegetable and legume intake showed inverse associations, tobacco intake showed none. One in four with hypertension was aware of their diagnosis and of those receiving treatment, one in three had well-controlled hypertension.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is little awareness that prehypertension and hypertension are public health issues in India. Ageing population, central obesity, sedentary lifestyle, excessive salt and alcohol, lower fruit, vegetable and legumes intake increase risk for blood pressure elevation.
authors.affiliation: Hamberg Hospital and Research Institute, Moradabad, India.
authors.forename: Ram B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fedacko
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pella
authors.forename: Zelmira
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Macejova
authors.forename: Saraswati
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ghosh
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: de Amit
authors.forename: Raheena
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Begom
authors.forename: Zubeda A
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Tumbis
authors.forename: Memuna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haque
authors.forename: Shaillendra K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Vajpeyee
authors.forename: Fabien
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: de Meester
authors.forename: Chibisov
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sergey
authors.forename: Radzhesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Agarwalo
authors.forename: Veerappan V
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Muthusamy
authors.forename: Alok K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Gupta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058246:Prehypertension / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors