Blood pressure in Canadian adults

Hypertension is estimated to cause more than one-eighth of all deaths worldwide. In Canada, the last national surveys to include direct measures of blood pressure (BP) took place over the years 1985-1992; hypertension was estimated at 21%.

Data are from cycle 1 of the Canadian Health Measures Survey, conducted from March 2007 through February 2009. The survey included direct BP measures using an automated device. Weighted frequencies, means and cross-tabulations were produced to estimate levels of hypertension awareness, treatment and control in the population aged 20 to 79 years.

Among adults aged 20 to 79 years, hypertension (systolic BP higher than or equal to 140 or diastolic BP higher than or equal to 90 mm Hg, or self-reported recent medication use for high BP) was present in 19%. Another 20% had BP in the pre-hypertension range (systolic 120 to 139 or diastolic 80 to 89 mm Hg). Of those with hypertension, 83% were aware, 80% were taking antihypertensive drugs, and 66% were controlled. Uncontrolled hypertension was largely due to high systolic BP.

Hypertension prevalence is similar to that reported in 1992. Since then, the level of hypertension control has increased considerably.