OBJECTIVETo access the prevalence rates of pre-hypertensive patients at different stages and its associated risk factors among adults of Zhejiang province.

METHODSStudy subjects were selected among local residents aged ≥ 18 years from 15 counties by multi stage stratified cluster random sampling method, from July to November, 2010. Each participant was required to complete questionnaire, physical examination and testing for overnight fasting blood specimen.

RESULTS17 437 residents were surveyed including 8169 males and 9268 females. The overall prevalence of prehypertension was 34.39%. The prevalence of pre-hypertension appeared to be higher in males (38.57%) than in females (30.70%) (χ(2) = 119.36, P < 0.0001). The prevalence of pre-hypertension decreased with the increase of age in males who were above 25 year olds (χ(2) = 76.94, P < 0.0001) and in females who were above 45 year olds (χ(2) = 114.66, P < 0.0001). The prevalence of pre-hypertension appeared to be higher in the rural (35.60%) than in the urban (32.39%) areas (χ(2) = 18.69, P < 0.0001). Data from multivariable logistic regression showed that factors as being male, aged older than 35 years of age, with waist circumference as ≥ 85 cm for men and ≥ 80 cm for women, body mass index ≥ 25.0 kg/m(2) and triglyceride ≥ 1.7 mmol/L were risk factors of pre-hypertension while having had higher education was a protective factor.

CONCLUSIONPre-hypertension was prevalent among adults residents in Zhejiang province. Factors as overweight, obesity, dyslipidemia appeared to be major risk factors for pre-hypertension.