Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment, and Risk Factors Associated With Hypertension in the Iranian Population: The National Survey of Risk Factors for Noncommunicable Diseases of Iran

Background The prevalence of hypertension in the Middle East is not well defined. We examined the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in Iran. Methods The Survey of Risk Factors of Noncommunicable Diseases was conducted in 2005 and contains a representative sample of the Iranian adult population. Of 70,981 participants, the data of 68,250 adults aged 25–64 years who had two valid blood pressure (BP) readings were analyzed to estimate the total prevalence of hypertension (systolic BP ≥ 140 mm Hg, diastolic BP ≥ 90 mm Hg, or the concurrent use of antihypertensive agents) in the Iranian adult population. Results Approximately 25% or 6.6 million Iranians aged 25–64 years had hypertension; additionally 46% or 12 million Iranians aged 25-64 years had prehypertension. Among hypertensive patients, 34% were aware of their elevated BP; 25% were taking antihypertensive medications; and of these treated subjects, only 24% had BP values