Grim status of hypertension in rural China: results from Northeast China Rural Cardiovascular Health Study 2013

•Updated epidemiologic features of hypertension in rural China.•The prevalence of hypertension remained seriously high.•The control rate of hypertension was still frustratingly low.•Metabolic disorders were associated with hypertension in rural China.

The last study that reported the prevalence of hypertension in rural Northeast China was conducted approximately 10 years ago. We aimed to update the data on the prevalence and epidemiologic features of hypertension in rural Northeast China. This study examined a total of 11,576 adults using a multi-stage cluster sampling method to select a representative sample of individuals 35 years or older. Sitting blood pressure was measured three times for each participant by trained observers using a standardized electric sphygmomanometer after resting for 5 minutes. Related medical histories were obtained using a standard questionnaire, and blood biochemical indexes were collected by well-trained personnel. Prevalence of hypertension was 51.1%; 53.9% for men and 48.7% for women. Among subjects with hypertension, 43.5% were aware of the diagnosis, and 31.2% were taking antihypertensive medications, but only 6% had their blood pressure controlled. Besides traditional risk factors, multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hyperuricemia were becoming risk factors for hypertension in this rural area.The status of hypertension is grim currently in rural Northeast China. The prevalence of hypertension remains seriously high, while the control rate is still frustratingly low. Obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hyperuricemia were more likely to be associated with hypertension in this rural area.