Subgroup analyses showed smaller sample s reporting larger effect sizes ; intervention lasting less than 6 months showed larger effect sizes and intention-to-treat analysis showed smaller effect sizes Lifestyle interventions may be of value in preventing and reducing blood pressure in LMICs .
Despite the overwhelming evidence supporting the effectiveness of antihypertensive medication , hypertension remains poorly controlled in low and middle-income countries ( LMICs ) .
Trends in the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension: the WHO MONICA Project
Objective To describe the secular changes in the prevalence , awareness , treatment and control of hypertension . Design Two independent cross-sectional population surveys using st and ardized methods conducted between the early 1980s and mid-1990s . Setting Twenty-four geographically defined population s of the WHO MONICA Project . Participants R and omly selected men and women aged 35–64 years . The total number of participants was 69 907 . Main outcome measures Two definitions of hypertension were used : 160/95 mmHg or above and 140/90 mmHg or above for systolic or diastolic blood pressure . Subjects on antihypertensive drug treatment were considered to be hypertensive regardless of their blood pressure . Treated subjects whose measured blood pressure level was less than 160/95 or 140/90 mmHg according to the two definitions , respectively , were considered to be adequately treated . Results The age-adjusted prevalence of hypertension decreased in most and increased in only a few population s. For both definitions of hypertension , the proportion of hypertensive subjects who were aware of their condition increased in three-quarters of the male population s and in two-thirds of the female population s. Furthermore , the proportion of hypertensive individuals on antihypertensive drug treatment increased in three-quarters of the population s. In the final survey , hypertension tended to be better treated and controlled in women than in men . Nevertheless , a large proportion of patients receiving antihypertensive drug therapy still had inadequately controlled blood pressure levels . Conclusion Although awareness and treatment of hypertension according to the data obtained during the late 1980s to the mid-1990s increased in several population s , the effectiveness of antihypertensive treatment showed the continuing need for improvements
Subgroup analyses showed smaller sample s reporting larger effect sizes ; intervention lasting less than 6 months showed larger effect sizes and intention-to-treat analysis showed smaller effect sizes Lifestyle interventions may be of value in preventing and reducing blood pressure in LMICs .
Despite the overwhelming evidence supporting the effectiveness of antihypertensive medication , hypertension remains poorly controlled in low and middle-income countries ( LMICs ) .