[Epidemiological Study of Hypertension in Heilongjiang Province]

Objective: To find out the epidemiological features of hypertension in Heilongjiang Province, so as to provide guidance and scientific ebidence for hypertensive prophylaxis and treatment.

Methods: >From the year of 1959 to 1999, 289 157 people in total with age >/= 15 years old (male 154 091, female 135 066) were investigated with stratified chunk method in rural and urban areas in Heilonging Province.

Results: Hypertensive incidence in Heilongjiang is much higher than the average level in China (P < 0.01). Hypertensive incidence has become higher and higher during the 40 years it increased 105%. It is in the recent ten years that hypertensive incidence increased most fast. Hypertensive incidence increased more obviously in male than in female (P < 0.01). Hypertensive incidence also increased with aging. Hypertensive incidence has increased both in urban and rural areas, with the urban incidence higher than rural (P < 0.01). Blood lipids (TC, TG, LDL-C, VLDL-C) of the subjects receiving this analysis in the year of 1999 was much higher than those in 1985 (P < 0.01). Alcohol drinking is related to hypertension (OR = 2.18). Smoking is also related to hypertension (OR = 1.29). People with body mass index (BMI) >/= 20 had higher hypertensive incidence (17.56%) than those with BMI < 20 (7.69%). 39 possible related factors of hypertension were analyzed; it is shown that profession of cadre, high BMI, alcohol drinking, male gender, mother's history of hypertension high salt diet and old age are the main risk factors of hypertension.

Conclusion: The programs of prophylaxis and treatment of hypertension should be enhanced in this province.