Gender disparities in the awareness and control of hypertension.

Hypertension is an important risk factor for the commonest cause of death among men, namely, cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this study was to provide data concerning gender difference in the awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in adults. We conducted a cross-sectional study in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia. Subjects were asked if they had been told by a physician that they had hypertension or were on blood pressure (BP) medication. Blood pressure was measured using standardized Joint National Committee (JNC) protocol. The study sample consisted of 814 adults who were at least 18 years old. Of the estimated 27.6% people with hypertension, 38.6% were unaware of their hypertension, 29.8% were aware of their condition but were not being treated, and among those who had been treated 40.8% remained uncontrolled. Independent predictors of a lack of awareness of hypertension were an age of at least 45 years, male gender, and BMI greater than 30. The extent of awareness and control of hypertension did not differ significantly by monthly income, educational level, physical activities, or smoking status. Awareness and control of hypertension is low in men, making them public health priorities. Achieving more stringent BP control will require increased attention by physicians and public education to improve the awareness and control of hypertension.