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Prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in a working Bulgarian population

A D Stein1, V Stoyanovsky, V Mincheva

  • 1Department of Epidemiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA. astein2@sph.emory.edu

European Journal of Epidemiology
|June 28, 2000
PubMed

Insights

High blood pressure (hypertension) is common in Bulgarian transport workers, particularly men. Awareness and management of hypertension are low, especially in younger individuals, contributing to significant health risks.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Arterial hypertension is a primary risk factor for cardiovascular mortality, including coronary heart disease and stroke.
  • Limited data on hypertension prevalence, awareness, and management in Bulgaria hinder targeted risk reduction strategies.
  • Bulgaria faces high rates of coronary heart disease and stroke incidence and mortality.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence, awareness, and management of hypertension among employees in Bulgaria's national transport industry.
  • To identify demographic factors, such as age and sex, associated with hypertension prevalence, awareness, and control.

Main Methods:

  • An age-sex stratified sample of 1618 employees (847 men, 771 women) aged 18-64 from the transport industry in Sofia was recruited.
  • Data collection involved structured interviews and resting blood pressure measurements during annual physical examinations.
  • Prevalence was defined as SBP ≥ 140 mmHg and/or DBP ≥ 90 mmHg; awareness and management were assessed through self-report and medication use.

Main Results:

  • Elevated blood pressure was prevalent in 58% of men and 24% of women (p < 0.001), increasing with age.
  • Among those with elevated blood pressure, only 33% of men and 49% of women were aware of their condition (p < 0.001).
  • Antihypertensive treatment was reported by 36% of men and 37% of women with diagnosed hypertension, with poor blood pressure control observed in those on medication.

Conclusions:

  • Hypertension is widespread and significantly underdiagnosed and poorly controlled in this urban, working-age Bulgarian population.
  • Lower awareness and management rates were observed in individuals under 40 years old.
  • These findings underscore the urgent need for public health initiatives to improve hypertension detection and management in Bulgaria.
Abstract

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