Background: This population-based study aimed at investigating the prevalence and associated factors of prehypertension/hypertension in Iran.
Methods and findings: The data (n = 2818) for this study were collected in 2015 as a part of the major Lifestyle Promotion Project (LPP) conducted in East Azerbaijan (urban and regional parts). The data for socio-demographic status, dietary information, and physical activity and anxiety levels were collected through validated questionnaires. Then, physical examination including systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP), body mass index (BMI) and conicity index was performed. First-morning spot urine (SU) sample was collected to assume salt intake. The One-way ANOVA, logistic regression, chi-square test and independent t-test were used for statistical analysis. The prevalence of prehypertension, stage I and stage II hypertension, and overall hypertension was 47.3%, 13.6%, 5.45% and 22.6% respectively. The mean systolic (p = 0.004) and diastolic (p<0.001) blood pressure in men were significantly higher than women. Results of logistic regression analysis showed that in both sexes, family history of hypertension, obesity, abdominal obesity, anxiety and having high levels of sodium intake were associated with high blood pressure (p< 0.05). Additionally, 45.8% of the hypertensive patients were aware of their disease, 10.0% of the aware patients, and 44.5% of everyone with high blood pressure were receiving antihypertensive medication.
Conclusions: Our data showed that prehypertension/hypertension is a major health problem in Iran. Focusing on identifying risk factors to hypertension, regular drug intake, good nutrition, physical activity, and changing lifestyles of patients with hypertension are essential.