Prevalence of arterial hypertension in the elderly according to the National Health Survey. Cuba, 2019

Abstract

Introduction: The aging of the population is accompanied by an epidemiological transition, where non-communicable diseases become the main causes of death and contribute to a greater extent to the burden of disease and disability. Older adults remain as a risk group for arterial hypertension. Objective: To identify the prevalence and control of high blood pressure in the elderly in Cuba, according to the National Health Survey, 2019. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out to identify the prevalence of arterial hypertension according to some sociodemographic variables at the time of diagnosis, which included the population aged 65 years and over. Results: The prevalence of arterial hypertension in people aged 65 years and over was higher in women and the difference with men was significant in both geographical areas. Known hypertensives aged 65 years and over represented 89.1% of cases. According to the geographical areas, the means of systolic blood pressure were higher in the urban area. More than half of hypertensive men from 65 to 74 years of age had elevated systolic blood pressure. Conclusions: The prevalence of arterial hypertension in Cuba in people aged 65 years and over agrees with the world estimates. It was higher than that registered by dispensarization at the first level of health care in the country in 2019.

Keywords

• hipertensión arterial, ancianos, adultos mayores, prevalencia de hipertensión arterial