Factors associated with knowledge and control of arterial hypertension in the Canary Islands.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the factors associated with knowledge and control of hypertension in the adult population of the Canary Islands (18-75 years).


METHODS
We recruited a random sample of the general population aged ≥18 years. Hypertension was defined as systolic/diastolic blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg or known hypertension (self-declared, or controlled hypertension <140/90 mmHg). The bivariate association of known and controlled hypertension with age, sex, anthropometry, serum lipids, medication, and lifestyle was corroborated by adjusting a multivariate logistic model.


RESULTS
We included 6675 participants. The prevalence of hypertension was higher in men (40% vs 31%, P<.001), who also had a lower frequency of treated and controlled hypertension. Female sex (P<.001), age ≥55 years (P<.001), obesity (P<.001), and diabetes (P<.001) were associated with known hypertension. The modifiable factors that, in spite of treatment, increased the risk of poor control of hypertension were alcohol consumption (>30 g/day, odds ratio [OR]=2.4, P<.001; >15-≤30 g/day, OR=2, P=.009; >5-≤15, g/day, OR=1.83, P=.004), obesity (body mass index ≥30, OR=2, P=.003; >24.9-<30, OR=1.7, P=.024), serum cholesterol >250 mg/dL (OR=1.6, P=.006) and elevated heart rate (>80 bpm, OR=1.45, P=.045; >70-≤80 bpm, OR=1.36, P=.038).


CONCLUSIONS
The awareness of hypertension increases with frequent use of the health system and with factors associated with known hypertension: female sex, age, underlying health problems. The modifiable factors associated with poor control of known hypertension are alcohol consumption, obesity, elevated heart rate, and hypercholesterolemia.
Unidad de Investigación, Gerencia de Atención Primaria, Hospital Universitario Ntra. Sra. de La Candelaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.
María C
MC
Rodríguez Pérez
Antonio
A
Cabrera de León
Raquel M
RM
Morales Torres
Santiago
S
Domínguez Coello
José J
JJ
Alemán Sánchez
Buenaventura
B
Brito Díaz
Ana
A
González Hernández
Delia
D
Almeida González
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012923:Social Class; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents