Background The aim of the presented analysis was to evaluate the prevalence of hypertension, efficacy of treaunent and the relationship between blood pressure (BP) and social factors in the elderly population.
Methods The results presented in this report refer to the data base of 512 inhabitants of the randomly selected area of Cracow aged 70 years and more. In all patients sitting BP measurement and a questionnaire containing questions concerning their present antihypertensive therapy, marital status, accommodation and quality of life were performed. Subjects were classified as hypertensive if their systolic BP (SBP) was >=160 or diastolic BP (DBP) >=95 mmHg or if they declared taking antihypertensive drugs. All other subjects were considered as normotensive. The comparisons between these two groups were performed using x-square test.
Results In total 332 (64.8%) persons were classified as hypertensive of whom 113 declared being under treatment and 219 were without any antihypertensive therapy. Only in 24 patients under treatment BP was below 160/95 mmHg. Among hypertensive subjects were more women (75.6 vs 60%, p<0.001), unmarried persons (71.1% vs 55.7%, p<0.01) living alone (42.8% vs 28.3%, p<0.01), and reporting poor quality of life (34.6% vs 21.1%, p<0.05).
Conclusion Prevalence of hypertension in the elderly population of Cracow was 64.8% of whom 34% were under treatment and only 7.2% had BP within normal limits. Hypertension in the studied population was found more frequently among women, single persons and people living alone as well as those who had poor quality of life.