The Prevalence of Hypertension among Individuals Aged Between 20-65 Years and Affecting Factors

Abstract

Hypertension is a chronic disease that is prioritized for public health since it is a preventable and controllable disease as well as leading to significant morbidity and mortality worldwide [1]. Hypertension [2], one of the leading risk factors for preventable causes of death, accounts for 6% of adult deaths worldwide [3,4]. According to the World Health Organization, hypertension ranks first among the preventable causes of death in the world [5]. The prevalence of hypertension tends to increase with age, rising sharply after age 50, and affecting 50% of this population [5]. Unless effective measures are taken, the prevalence of hypertension will continue to increase as the world population grows older [3]. Epidemiological data indicate that the prevalence of hypertension which is 20-25% at the age of 30s is increased significantly with age, reaching 50% at the age of 60 and over [6]. Approximately 7.1 million deaths per year are thought to be caused by hypertension [5]. There are only 3 large scale studies that will provide information on the prevalence of hypertension. Of these studies, the oldest but THE one with the longest follow-up period is the TEKHARF. Other studies are Turkey Hypertension Prevalence Study (a patent study) and Metabolic Syndrome Prevalence Survey among Turkish Adults (METSAR). According to the results of TEKHARF study, the prevalence of hypertension is 33.7% in Turkey. This rate varies from one region to the other. While it is less than 30% in Southern Anatolia, it is more than 40% in Northern Anatolia. When the adult population was evaluated according to gender and decades of age, it was found that the prevalence of hypertension is increased by aging and is more common among the women of every age group than men. According to the results of the Turkey Hypertension Prevalence Study (a patent study), it is seen that the prevalence of hypertension is 31.8% in terms of age and gender. The prevalence was found to be higher than Abstract