Abstract

Background: Hypertension is an important public health problem worldwide and is the most widely recognized modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease (stroke) and end-stage renal disease.

Aims & Objective: This study is to assess the prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension in rural Vadodara.

Material and Methods: A planned pretested schedule was used to collect data regarding demographic characteristics and blood pressure pattern. The cross-sectional study involved a survey of 260 individuals residing in rural areas of District Vadodara. Chi- square test and ANOVA were used to analyze data.

Results: The proportion of hypertension showed an increasing trend with age. The prevalence of prehypertension was 24.2% and hypertension was 20.4%. The mean systolic as well as diastolic blood pressure patterns were found to be higher with the increase in age. Insignificant differences were found with gender.

Conclusion: Early detection of hypertension can be facilitated by periodic screening of the people regularly. The prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension was found to be high in rural area of Vadodara District.

Key words: Evaluation, Pre hypertension, Hypertension, screening