Arterial hypertension in workers: prevalence, awareness, treatment, control and heart changes

Hypertension prevalence, awareness of high blood pressure, its treatment and control were estimated in 1100 workers, between the ages 35 and 59. Hypertension was defined as blood pressure > or = 160/95 mm Hg. The incidence of hypertensive heart disease was also investigated. All hypertensive persons were taken M-mode and 2-dimensional echocardiograms, electrocardiogram and chest X-ray. The criteria for both sexes were Casale's ECG for left ventricular hypertrophy and echocardiographic left ventricular mass index of 120 g/m or greater. The prevalence of hypertension was 14%. The percentage of persons who were aware of hypertension but did not receive treatment was 66%; 28% were treated but were not adequately controlled for high blood pressure. Only 6% of hypertensive workers received treatment and had high blood pressure under control. The prevalence of heart changes among the hypertensive workers as determined by echocardiographic standards was 67%, by electrocardiographic standards 19% and chest X-ray standards 29%. Systolic blood pressure was significantly related to ventricular mass (r = 0.34; 0.26) and voltage of R in a VL + S in V3 (r = 0.28; 0.24) in all hypertensive subjects, irrespective of treatment. Our study showed a high prevalence of hypertensive heart disease, 100% awareness of disorder and a low rate of treatment and control.