Epidemiology of blood pressure and hypertension in the adult Maltese community

Abstract

Raised blood pressure is thought to be highly prevalent among the Maltese community. This has been a clinical impression probably partly based on the assumption that the Maltese prevalence rates are consistent with the epidemic rates obtained in most European countries and the United States. A study was undertaken in order to acquire scientific information on blood pressure, hypertension and its awareness among the Maltese population aged between 25 and 64 years. The mean systolic blood pressures were 138 mmHg (SD 16) for males and 138 mmHg (SD 20) for females. The mean diastolic blood pressures were 86.2 mmHg (SD 10) for males and 85.5 mmHg (SD 11) for females. The prevalence of hypertension was 26%. Only about 10% of persons suffering from hypertension had their blood pressure under adequate control.