Prevalence, Awareness, and Treatment Profile of Adult Filipino Hypertensive Individuals: Philippine Heart Association–Council on Hypertension Report on Survey of Hypertension (PRESYON-4)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular morbidity and  mortality in the Philippines. The prevalence rate of hypertension has been increasing, and this  was associated with increasing comorbidities and poor control rates. The Philippine Heart  Association–Council on Hypertension has been conducting the PRESYON studies since 1992 to  determine the present hypertension rates. This updated PRESYON-4 aimed to know the latest  numbers of hypertension cases in the country and to determine the awareness, treatment profile,  and control rates of individuals afflicted with hypertension.  METHODS: PRESYON-4 is a randomized, prospective, multistage, stratified, nationwide survey  conducted last January to April 2021. It included 3,437 participants; 2,796 subjects were adults  aged 19 years or older, and the rest of the participants were 12 to 18 years old. The prevalence  of hypertension was analyzed from the survey. Anthropometric measurements, risk factors, and  comorbidity assessment were also determined.  RESULTS: The prevalence rate of hypertension in the latest survey is 37%, with more than half  of the respondents aware of their disease. Utilizing the classification of the European guidelines  for hypertension, 34% had grade 1 hypertension, with 26% of participants having isolated  systolic hypertension. Individuals older than 50 years are aware of their elevated blood pressure  (BP), but more females are aware of their disease compared with men. Current smoking and  obesity are high in the hypertensive population, whereas diabetes mellitus and angina are the  more common comorbidities. Most subjects utilize the oscillometric arm BP apparatus to monitor  their BP. Angiotensin receptor blockers are the most used antihypertensive medication with a  high compliance rate. However, there is poor control among treated patients with hypertension,  as the control rate is only 39%. The prescription of a single drug is still prevalent among Filipino  hypertensive individuals.  CONCLUSION: The point prevalence of hypertension in the country is at 37% based on the  analysis. The need to manage risk factors such as obesity and smoking should be part of  management. A multisectoral approach in the management of hypertension should be part of the  strategy to lower hypertension in the country.  KEYWORDS: hypertension, prevalence, awareness, compliance, BP control