Summary

Objectives: To detect the actual prevalence of systemic hypertension in the city of Campo Grande, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, and frequent risk factors. Methods: Cross-sectional study with a randomized sample of the adult population of the city of Campo Grande, MS, in a total of 892 individuals. A questionnaire on age, gender, level of education, smoking, alcohol consumption, and aspects of the treatment was applied. Anthropometric data (weight and height) were collected. According to the WHO, a BMI<25 kg/m was considered normal weight; 25>BMI<30 overweight; and BMI> 30 obesity. Criteria for hypertension were based on the VII JNC report, with blood pressure cut-off values of 140 x 90 mmHg. Results: The prevalence of hypertension was 41.4%, varying with age (up to 29 years: 11.8%; 30-39: 24.8%; 40-49: 43.3%; 50-59: 42.4%; 60-69: 48.6 % and> 70: 62.3%). A higher prevalence was observed among men (51.8%), whereas among women the prevalence was 33.1%.Individuals with basic level of education tended to present higher rates. Among overweight and obese individuals, a higher prevalence of hypertension was observed: normal BMI (27.9%), overweight (45.6%) and obesity (58.6%). Above 60 years of age, a higher percentage of isolated systolic hypertension was observed, with 16.4 % (60-69 years) and 24.6 % (>70 years). Daily or weekly alcohol consumption was also related to a higher incidence, of 63.2 % and 47.2%, respectively. Only 59.7 % were known to be hypertensive. Of the hypertensive individuals, 57.3 % were undergoing some type of treatment. Of those undergoing regular treatment, 60.5 % presente