Prevalence of Hypertension Among Active Duty Personnel

摘要

The primary purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of uncontrolledhypertension in the Navy. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings were collected for 10,866 active duty men and women in conjunction with the Navy's current blood pressure screening program. Mean systolic blood pressure was 118.3 (millimeters of mercury) mmHg; mean diastolic blood pressure was 71.6 mmHg. Blood pressure was elevated in 8.9% of the total sample, which is lower than the adjusted rate for the nation at large (about 14%). Hypertension was more prevalent among enlisted personnel, older individuals, men, and blacks. The relatively low prevalence of hypertension in the Navy may be related to screening policies at accession and/or the Navy's ongoing health and fitness programs, including exercise, weight control, and nutrition. However, with nearly 1 in 10 sailors exhibiting high blood pressure, it is recommended that the Navy continue its efforts toward a comprehensive program for detection and treatment of hypertension. Keywords: Hypertension; Health promotion; High blood pressure; Cardiovascular diseases. (jg)