The epidemiological characteristics of hypertension in China are characterized by "three highs and three lows".
The "three highs" are:
The prevalence rate is high: In 1991, the prevalence rate was 11.88%, with 90 million patients. In 1998, it increased to 110 million, with an average of one hypertensive patient every 11 people or every 3 families. In 2002, the prevalence rate of hypertension was 18.8%, estimated to be over 160 million patients nationwide. Compared to 1991, the prevalence rate increased by 31% and the number of patients increased by over 70 million.
The disability rate is high: Currently, there are 6 million stroke patients in China, with 75% of them experiencing varying degrees of loss of labor capacity and 40% being severely disabled. There are 1.5 million new stroke cases each year.
The mortality rate is high: Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases account for 41% of the causes of death in urban populations in China, with hypertension being the most important risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and the easiest to control.
The "three lows" are:
The awareness rate is low: In 1991, the awareness rate of hypertension in urban areas was 36.3% and in rural areas was 13.7%. In 1998, the awareness rate of hypertension in China was only 25.1%, and in 2002, it was 30.2%.
The medication rate is low: In 1991, the medication rate in urban areas was 17.4%, and in rural areas was 5.4%. In 2002, the treatment rate was 24.7%.
The control rate is low: The control rate of blood pressure below 140/90 mmHg was 4.2% in urban areas and 0.9% in rural areas in 1991. In 2002, the control rate was 6.1%. Although there has been some improvement compared to 1991, it is still in a state of "three highs and three lows".
The characteristics of the outcome of hypertension in China are: mainly stroke (70%), followed by coronary heart disease, and then renal failure. The incidence rate of stroke in China is 250 per 100,000, second only to the Siberian region of the former Soviet Union (300 per 100,000), ranking second in the world. The incidence rate of coronary heart disease in China is 50 per 100,000, with males at 76 per 100,000, the lowest in the world, and females at 34 per 100,000. The incidence rate of stroke is 5 times that of coronary heart disease, and hypertension is the most important risk factor for stroke, with 79.8% of strokes being related to hypertension, while hypertension is only an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease, with only 36% of cases being related to hypertension.
The incidence of cardiovascular diseases in China shows a trend of being higher in the north and lower in the south. This may be related to cold weather causing vasoconstriction, excessive salt intake, high fat content in the diet, and excessive alcohol consumption. It is worth noting that currently, cardiovascular diseases in China are increasing and becoming more prevalent in younger populations.
