Prevalence of Hypertension and Risk Factors associated with it in Subjects attending Health Camp in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

Background: One of the most important causes of death in the world is hypertension and its epidemic seems to be growing. By the year 2025, around 1.5 billion adults will be living with hypertension. Aim & Objectives: To find prevalence of hypertension in subjects attending a health screening camp at SPS government hospital, Rishikesh and to identify various risk factors related to hypertension. Material & Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among subjects attending a health screening camp at SPS Government hospital, Rishikesh. The camp was conducted for seven days period, from 11th October- 17th October, 2017. All subjects that attended the health camp and were either 30 years old and/or above were included in this study. An informed written consent was taken from all subjects that consented to participate in this study after explaining to them the purpose of the study. A questionnaire that was predesigned, pretested, structured was used to obtain demographic data, personal data and history of hypertension in the family, behavioural aspects, including, use of tobacco, alcohol and dietary habits. Blood pressure (BP) and anthropometric measurements were also recorded in this study. Total of 207 people attended the health camp, from which 196 agreed to participate in study. Results: Out of total of 207 people that attended the camp, 196 people gave their consent to participate in the study. In this study, out of 196 subjects 66 (33.7%) were found to be hypertensive. Risk factors like increasing age, family history of hypertension, increased BMI and waist hip ratio, use of tobacco and alcohol and increased blood sugar levels were found to be associated significantly with hypertension. Conclusion: There is high prevalence of hypertension in Rishikesh. Efforts are required to regularly screen for blood pressure at the community level to help tackle this iceberg disease