RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of blood pressure (BP) levels of a general population in Chengdu, China from 1992 to 2007. METHODS: A baseline survey on CVD risk factors was carried out in a general population of Chengdu in 1992. A total of 1365 adults aged 35-64 years were recruited randomly. In 2007, 1061 of the participants completed a follow up survey. RESULTS: 1) The systolic blood pressure (SBP) levels increased with age in both men and women, and larger increase was found in older people. The diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels also increased with age, however, the smallest increase was found in the age group of 45 to 54 years. 2) People of 50-64 years old in 2007 had higher SBP than those of the same age in 1992. Similar changes were also found for DBP in men, but not in women. 3) From 1992 to 2007, the prevalence of hypertension increased in all of the age groups. The greater increase occurred in the younger population. 4) During the 15 years, the prevalence of hypertension increased from 13.2% to 51.2% in men, and from 14.0% to 45.1% in women. People of 50-64 years old had higher prevalence of hypertension in 2007 than those of the same age in 1992. CONCLUSION: SBP and DBP increase with age, and younger people have larger increase than older people. The prevalence of hypertension increases with age, and the greater increase also occurred in younger people. In people with the same age of 50-64 years, the prevalence of hypertension and SBP and DBP levels are higher in 2007 than in 1992, except for DBP in women.