Prevalencia de hipertensión arterial en comunidades pehuenches, Alto Biobio

the prevalence hypertension is increasing in general, including the rural and native populations of chile. however, there is no information regarding this problem in the pehuenche population, which inhabits the high biobio area. aim: to determine the prevalence of hypertension in pehuenche communities and its relation to ethnic, demographic and nutritional factors methods: a cross sectional sample of 400 individuals 16 years and older were surveyed between may and october 2011. socio-demographic, ethnic and clinical characteristics were assessed. the national health department's definitions were used. results: hypertension was found in 24.5% of subjects. there were no differences in the prevalence of hypertension according to gender, ethnic factors or nutritional state. as expected, prevalence of hypertension increased with age, reaching 70.6% in those above 65 years. both systolic and diastolic pressures increased with age. only 32% of the previously evaluated subjects had a normal blood pressure. conclusion: the prevalence of hypertension in pe-huenches is similar to that observed in the overall chilean population. there was no relation of hypertension prevalence to ethnic or nutritional factors.