[Regional characteristics of arterial hypertension in adult population of Croatia].

Data collected in the Croatian Health Survey launched in 2003 by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare were analyzed. The survey included a regionally stratified random sample. Using the method of structured questionnaire and anthropometric measurements (blood pressure, height and weight), data were collected on 9,070 subjects aged >18. The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure was calculated from two measurements. Inclusion criteria in the group of subjects with elevated blood pressure were the subject's reporting taking antihypertensive medication and/or mean systolic blood pressure > or =140 mm Hg, and/or mean diastolic blood pressure > or =90 mm Hg. Descriptive analysis was done on figures yielded by use of the SPSS software. Subjects with elevated blood pressure accounted for 44.2% (95%CI=42.61-45.85) of study population, with a h gher rate in male (45.6%; 95%= 43.14-48.06) and lower in female subjects (43.0%; 95%CI=41.46-44.55). Croatia was estimated to have 1,538,982 inhabitants with high blood pressure (748,072 males and 790,910 females). The proportion of individuals with elevated blood pressure was highest (78.9%; 95%CI=76.9-81.0; CV=1.32) in the 65 age group, followed by 35-64 age group 46.9% (95% CI=44.8-41.0; CV=2.3), and lowest rate (13.8%; 95%CI=11.1-16.6; CV=10.2) in the 18-34 age group. Regional distribution of high blood pressure was as follows: central Croatia 46.4% (95%CI=42.9-49.9; CV= 3.8), south 45.3% (95%CI= 40.9-49.7; CV=. 5.0), City of Zagreb 44.7% (95%CI= 40.9-48.5; CV= 4.3), east 44.2% (95%CI=40.5-47.8; CV=4.2), north 43.0% (95%CI=40.9-49.7; CV= 5.0), and west 40.5% (95%CI= 36.0-45.0; CV= 5.7). In the female group aged 35-64, regional distribution was as follows: east 52.3% (95%CI=46.0-58.7; CV=6.2), central Croatia 45.4% (95%CI=40.3-50.5; CV=5.7), City of Zagreb 43.5 (95%CI=38.1-48.9; CV=6.4), south 40.7% (95%CI=37.4-44, 0; CV=4.1), north 39.3% (95% CI=33.7-44.8; CV=7.2), and west 35.1% (95%CI=26.1-44.2; CV= 13.1). Differences between the east and south, west and City of Zagreb should be investigated. In the high blood pressure group, 76.5% of subjects had a body mass index greater than 25 and 48% ofthose with inadequate physical activity, both exceeding the rates recorded in persons with normal blood pressure. Whereas 58.6% of the subjects knew they had elevated blood pressure, 48.4% of them were taking their therapy, and only 14.8% kept their blood pressure under control (systolic <140 mm Hg and diastolic <90 mm Hg). Arterial hypertension is a major public health problem in all regions of Croatia. The available literature data suggest that the Croatia's share of individuals with high blood pressure is comparable to that in industrialized countries of continental Europe. The prevention of excessive body weight, also through increased physical activity of the population and changes in poor dietary habits, remains the essential element in planning primary prevention programs for high blood pressure. Raising the population's awareness of the problem, early detection of high blood pressure and encouraging the population to take regular therapy for high blood pressure, along with the adoption of healthy lifestyle are important factors in achieving effective control and alleviating the consequences of hypertension.