Prevalence of hypertension in Nepalese community triples in 25 years: a repeat cross-sectional study in rural Kathmandu

Abstract

AIM/OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to examine if there has been any change in the prevalence of hypertension (HTN) in the Nepalese population in the last two and half decades. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study was done in Bhadrabas village area of Kathmandu valley to estimate the prevalence of HTN and the findings were compared to the study done in the same location 25 years ago. FINDINGS: The study shows that there has been a three-fold increment in the prevalence of HTN in the same location. The major causes behind this increment appear to be increased salt intake and increased body mass index (BMI). CONCLUSION: This is the first repeat cross-sectional study on blood pressure (BP) in a Nepalese population. There is a very high prevalence as well as a sharp rise in HTN prevalence in this society largely because of changing lifestyle which is most likely because of socio-economic transition.