Explain the Burden of Hypertension in heart diseases ?

Since 1942, there have been several small and large population-based studies on Hypertension. A ineta-analysis showed an increase in the prevalence of Hypertension over the years, especially of systolic levels, more in urban than in rural areas. Recent studies using the criterion of 140/90 mmHg as the cut-off point for Hypertension have shown a prevalence of 10-30.9 per cent in urban areas, while earlier reports since 1950 showed a prevalence of 1-3 per cent. Tile reason for the increasing trend has been attributed to the same factors as those for CAD.

Hypertension appears to be the most important risk factor for the development of CAD throughout India. In a study in Delhi involving 8000 subjects, the most important risk factor for CAD was Hypertension it1 over 50 per cent of subjects, young and old, followed by smoking and diabetes. This has also been seen at AIIMS, New Delhi and CMC, Vellore.