Prevalence and Risk Factors of essential hypertension in rural primary care patients

Erik Hansen; S. Hansen; M. Karlsson

doi:10.5281/zenodo.22813715

Authors

Erik Hansen Department of General and Internal Medicine, Lena Center for Primary Care Research Author https://orcid.org/4303-0362-0939-456X
S. Hansen Department of Clinical Primary Care Research, Euphrates Center for Primary Care Research Author https://orcid.org/3576-8099-7135-5810
M. Karlsson Department of General and Internal Medicine, Indus Institute for Advanced General and Internal Medicine Author https://orcid.org/6105-8133-1699-7152

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22813715

Keywords:

essential hypertension, prevalence, risk factors, rural primary care, blood pressure control

Abstract

Graphical abstract

Background: Essential hypertension is the leading modifiable contributor to cardiovascular mortality, yet rural primary care populations show worse awareness, treatment, and control than urban populations.

Objective: To estimate hypertension prevalence among adult patients attending rural primary care clinics, describe awareness/treatment/control, and identify associated risk factors.

Methods: In a cross-sectional survey, consecutive rural primary care patients underwent standardized blood-pressure measurement and risk-factor interviews; hypertension was defined per JNC7/ACC-AHA criteria, with multivariable logistic regression identifying independent risk factors.

Results: Prevalence rose from under 10% at 18-29 years to approximately 61% at 60+ years; fewer than half of hypertensive patients were aware of their diagnosis, and control among treated patients remained well below guideline targets. Age, body mass index, low activity, high salt intake, alcohol use, and family history were independently associated with hypertension.

Conclusions: Hypertension is highly prevalent but under-detected and poorly controlled among rural primary care patients; opportunistic screening, structured follow-up, and lifestyle counseling could meaningfully narrow this gap.

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