The coming epidemic: hypertension in rural Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia

Type Journal Article - Journal of human hypertension
Title The coming epidemic: hypertension in rural Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia
Author(s)
Volume 19
Issue 2
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2005
Page numbers 145-148
URL http://www.nature.com/jhh/journal/v19/n2/full/1001791a.html
Abstract
Eastern Europe is experiencing an epidemic of cardiovascular disease far outpacing rates in Western Europe. This epidemic was heralded by a precipitous rise in hypertension prevalence. The former Soviet states of Central Asia may be facing a similar epidemic. In order to access this threat, we performed a retrospective analysis of data generated during humanitarian medical visits to two villages in Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia. The age-adjusted prevalence of hypertension was 39%. Hypertension was much more common among men than women (46 vs 33%, respectively). In addition, the rise in blood pressure with age was striking, surpassing the experience in Western countries. This epidemic of hypertension may herald a coming epidemic of cardiovascular disease in Central Asia.

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