Worldwide prevalence of hypertension

PURPOSE: To examine the prevalence and the level of awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in different world regions. STUDY SELECTION: A literature search of the MEDLINE database, using the Medical Subject Headings prevalence, hypertension, blood pressure and cross-sectional studies, was conducted. Published studies, which reported the prevalence of hypertension and were conducted in representative population samples, were included in the review. The search was restricted to studies published from January 1980 through July 2003. DATA EXTRACTION: All data were extracted independently by two investigators using a standardized protocol and data collection form. RESULTS: The reported prevalence of…