European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Background:  Hypertension is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases particularly Ischemic Heart Disease & stroke. According to a nationally representative study on burden of high blood pressure in India, 70% of the people suffering from hypertension are not aware of it. Deaths due to hypertension are largely preventable. In comparison to other evidence-based interventions for non-communicable diseases, control of hypertension has the largest potential to save lives. Objective: 1.To estimate the magnitude of hypertension in a rural community. 2. To determine the significance of factors associated with hypertension   Design and Methodology: A Community based cross sectional study was conducted in two pre-selected villages near Kakaramanahalli, rural field practice area of RajaRajeswari Medical College for a duration of six months among the people aged 18 years and above. A person was considered to be a hypertensive if he/ she were already diagnosed case of hypertension and / or on treatment or with a current SBP of ≥ 140 mm Hg or DBP ≥ 90 mm Hg and a person was considered as pre hypertensive if he/ she were with a current SBP of 120 – 139 mm Hg or DBP 80 – 89 mm Hg. Results: Out of 101 participants, the mean age was 52.13±16 years. Majority of the people were in the age group of 60 years & above accounting for 44 (43%). Females outnumbered the males accounting for 66 (65%). Illiterates were more among the study participants accounting for 54 (53.5%). Majority of the people in the study were agriculturists accounting for 51 (50.5%) . Overall, the magnitude of Hypertension among the study population was found to be 33.7% and 32.7% were falling under the category of pre-hypertensive. There was no statistically significant association between blood pressure and age, gender, type of family, BMI and waist circumference. Conclusion: Our study concluded that more screening activities to be implemented at rural levels for the population who are above the age of 40 years. There is a need for frequent monitoring of Blood pressure irrespective of BMI, waist circumference in the population above the age of 40 years.