Hypertension

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Worldwide, the geriatric age group constitutes one of the most rapidly expanding segments of population. The increase in longevity due to improvement in socioeconomic conditions and health care facilities has lead to surge in geriatric population as well as related illnesses such as cardiovascular disease. Worldwide including India, hypertension is one of the leading cardiovascular disorders and in itself is an important risk factor for coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, cardiac failure and end stage renal disease in geriatric population.

Hypertension is one of the most important causes of mortality and morbidity in the elderly. As a consequence of a high prevalence, a substantial proportion of cardiovascular diseases in elderly is attributable to hypertension (high attributable risk) (O. Downell and Kenwal, 1998 Age is a very important non-modifiable risk factor for development of hypertension. Blood pressure rises with age in both sexes and the rise is greater in those with higher initial blood pressure. Considering the influence of age on blood pressure the increase in systolic blood pressure is generally linear from thirty years old age,whereas the increase in diastolic blood pressure peaks in mid fifties in men and early sixties in women declining slightly thereafter. It must be remembered however that increase in blood pressure does not represent an inevitable consequence of normal human aging but rather is caused by some genetic and/or environmental factors. What was once considered a physiological rise of systolic blood pressure is now regarded as an adverse response and is treatable. Several randomized controlled trials have firmly established that treatment of hypertension in elderly significantly reduces cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. (Amerj et al., 1985; Przygoda et al., 1998) In India, with increase in aging population the prevalence of hypertension is bound to increase. Yet there is paucity of studies assessing the prevalence of hypertension in geriatric segment of population. Only few studies have been conducted to gauge the burden of hypertension in geriatric Indian population. In our study we investigated the prevalence, awareness treatment and adequacy of control of hypertension in a cross section of geriatric population in Bikaner (Rajasthan). We would also like to examine the impact of selected sociodemographic characteristics like age, sex, socioecoomic status and smoking of the geriatric population on the prevalence, awareness treatment and adequacy of control of hypertension.