Undiagnosed arterial hypertension in the inhabitants of Jaworzno

Background The data of the WOBASZ (National Multicentre Health Survey in Poland) revealed considerable regional differences regarding the prevalence of arterial hypertension. The differences between Polish Provinces might be due to undiagnosed cases of hypertension. The aim of the study was to determine the proportion of Jaworzno inhabitants with undiagnosed hypertension. Another aim was to define the characteristics of this group. Material and methods Letters of invitation were sent to 1.500 Jaworzno inhabitants aged 35–55 years. These potential study participants received medical care from their family doctors but had not been treated for cardiovascular diseases. The group comprised 780 participants (513 women and 267 men aged 46.7 } 4.3 and 45.6 } 4 years). Blood pressure, BMI, lipidogram and glucose levels were obtained as well as data on cigarette smoking, physical activity and family history of hypertension. Results Arterial hypertension was diagnosed in 107 women (21%) and 128 men (47.9%). The proportion of obese or overweight women and men was 76.6% and 79.7%, respectively and was higher than the respective values (43% and 51.8%) in normotensives. Abnormalities of lipid metabolism were also more frequent in hypertensive participants. The proportions of hypertensive women and men with at least one abnormal lipid parameter were comparable and amounted to 83.2% and 85.2%, respectively. These values were significantly higher than in normotensive female (37.8%) and male (42.4%) participants. Conclusion Even 48% of men and 20% of women aged 35–55 years of Jaworzno’s non-treated population may have undiagnosed arterial hypertension; the majority of them are obese or overweight