Epidemiological features of hypertension in a high-altitude population in Tibet, China: a cross-sectional study

Objectives To explore the present epidemiological status of hypertension in the high-altitude regions of Tibet, China, and offer insights for the prevention and control strategies of hypertension in this population. Design A cross-sectional study was designed to be conducted in seven cities (localities) in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). Participants and setting The survey employed a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method and enrolled 8,992 residents aged ≥35 years from seven cities in Tibet. Main outcome measures Present status of the epidemiology of hypertension. Results The prevalence of hypertension in Tibet was 46.5 % and the weighted prevalence was 46.7 %. Hypertension at stage 2 and above accounted for 49.8% of all cases. Of the hypertensive subjects included in this study, 45.2 % had been diagnosed with hypertension before the study, 30.8 % were taking antihypertensive medication, and only 3.0 % had effective blood pressure control. Aging, urban population, alcohol consumption, overweight, obesity, diabetes mellitus and central obesity were risk factors for hypertension (all p < 0.05 ). Moreover, 94.2% of the individuals using antihypertensive drugs received treatment with only one medication, and calcium channel blockers were the most frequently prescribed antihypertensive drug for single-drug therapy.Women were more likely to use calcium channel blockers compared to men, while beta-blockers were less commonly used by women in comparison to men ( p <0.05), nifedipine was the most commonly used calcium channel blocker drug in patients with hypertension. Conclusion Hypertension is a key public health problem in Tibet, associated with multiple factors and with low rates of awareness, treatment and control. The government needs to strengthen basic medical care and health promotion for high-altitude populations in Tibet.