Prevalence and risk factors for prehypertension and hypertension among adults in Central China from 2000-2011

Background: Hypertension is frequently studied in surveys; however, prehypertension, a new blood pressure status between normotension and hypertension, is rarely reported. Methods: All data were derived from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) and were analysed by logistic regression for correlation. Results: The prehypertension prevalence was 27.4%, with a hypertension rate of 36.9%. The awareness, treatment, and uncontrolled rates among all hypertension participates were 19.8%, 83.6%, and 55.0%, respectively. The epidemic rate of hypertension increased with increasing age (p < 0.001), and prehypertension appeared to have an epidemic peak in the age group of 38-57 years (p < 0.001). In general, the incidence of hypertension in urban participants was higher than in rural subjects (p < 0.001), and prehypertension in urban subjects was lower than that in rural subjects (p < 0.001). According to the results of logistic regression, hypertension and prehypertension were associated with age, gender, location, body mass index (BMI), body fat rate (BFR), waist circumference (WC), education, and the intake of energy-yielding nutrients). Conclusion: The current study reveals a high epidemic rate of hypertension and prehypertension in Central China. These results indicate the urgent need to develop strategies to improve the prevention of hypertension and prehypertension in Central China.