Hypertension and aging in rural Haiti: results from a preliminary survey

Cross-sectional studies in the developed countries document strong relationships among age, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and pulse pressure (PP). There is little information about these trends and their impact in underdeveloped countries with different socioeconomic and lifestyle characteristics. We studied a convenience sample of 572 residents of rural Fontaine, Haiti: 193 males and 379 females (mean, s.d.) age 40.2 (17.1) years and performed intake questionnaires and BP measurements in participants' homes. Income and educational achievement were very low but most-recommended lifestyle factors were very favorable: very high physical activity, low dietary fat, virtually no obesity (body mass index 21.8 (4.9)), and low smoking prevalence. Rough estimates of salt intake were high (~13 g per day) as was the overall prevalence of hypertension: 34.4% (23.4% in males, 40.2% in females). SBP and PP were related closely to age (r²=0.28, P<0.001 and r²=0.22, P<0.001); for each decade of age, SBP increased by 7.6 mm Hg. Diastolic BP peaked in the 6th decade (polynomial r²=0.22, P<0.001) and the nadir of PP occurred in the 3rd decade. We conclude that, despite a favorable profile of lifestyle characteristics and no obesity, the prevalence of hypertension and rate of increase in SBP and PP with age in Haiti are at least as high as those of developed countries.