Trends and sociodemographic patterns in hypertension prevalence and treatment in China

Hypertension is a significant public health challenge in China, but evidence of current status and trends for hypertension prevalence and management is limited.

Data were derived from two nationally representative surveys including 750,208 Chinese adults. All analyses accounted for complex sample design weights. Hypertension was defined as a systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg and/or a diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg and/or use of antihypertensive medication within 2 weeks.

The weighted prevalence of hypertension in 2021-2022 was 31.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 30.1%-33.0%), representing a significantly absolute increase of 8.4% (95% CI 6.5%-10.2%) from 2012-2015 to 2021-2022. The prevalence of isolated systolic hypertension and isolated diastolic hypertension in 2021-2022 was 9.3% and 5.3%, respectively. In 2021-2022, the weighted rates of hypertension awareness, treatment, and control were 43.3% (95% CI 41.5%-45.2%), 38.7% (95% CI 36.9%-40.6%), and 12.9% (95% CI 11.6%-14.4%), respectively. The increases in hypertension prevalence were particularly pronounced among men and rural residents, who also tended to have a lower level of hypertension management. Age-standardized hypertension prevalence was 31.2% (95% CI 31.0%-31.4%) in the 2021-2022 survey and 22.3% (95% CI 22.2%-22.5%) in the 2012-2015 survey, respectively.

Hypertension prevalence in China has risen, while awareness, treatment, and control rates remain relatively low. These findings underscore the urgent need for tailored policies to enhance hypertension management.

The work was supported by the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China and Major Science and Technology Special Plan Project of Yunnan Province.