Hypertension in the Jerusalem 70 year olds study population: Prevalence, awareness, treatment and control

As part of the Jerusalem 70 year olds study, we evaluated the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension (blood pressure greater than or equal to 160 mm Hg systolic and/or greater than or equal to 95 mm Hg diastolic, or current treatment with prescribed antihypertensive medications). The study cohort consisted of 448 participants, 224 of whom had hypertension. Relative to other populations, awareness was high (87%). Although the treatment rate was also relatively high (86%), the control rate was only 43%. Untreated isolated systolic hypertension was uncommon (5%), as was orthostatic hypotension (6.9%). Thus, despite a remarkable degree of awareness and treatment rate of hypertension.