India: Hypertension in rural areas on par with high-income countries

The prevalence of hypertension among males in a rural community in northeast India was almost 31%, while the prevalence among females was almost 28%, according to new research. Urban Indian hypertension rates range from 29% to 45% for males and 25% to 38% for females, and the global prevalence of hypertension is just over 32%. Previous research suggested that the difference in rural and urban prevalence rates was in due in part to diet and stress associated with urban living, however researchers found that being overweight was the main modifiable risk factor. Stress was also found to be an independent risk factor for men, and although recognized in urban communities, it was previously not thought to be a significant risk factor for rural populations. 

Date Posted: 1 May 2012