Prevalence and control of hypertension in a large cohort of occupationally-active israelis examined during 1985-1987: The cordis study

Green M S (Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit, Occupational Health and Rehabilitation Institute, PO Box 3, Raanana 43100, Israel) and Peled I. Prevalence and control of hypertension in a large cohort of occupationally-active Israelis during 1385-1387: The Cordis Study. International Journal of Epidemiology 1992; 21: 676-682. In view of the many changes in the approach to the detection and management of hypertension that have occurred, the paucity of current data on this subject in Israel limits the possibilities of making international comparisons or evaluating trends. This study contributes recent information on the occupationally-active population. Between 1985 and 1987, blood pressures were measured and interview data obtained on awareness and treatment of hypertension in a sample of 3677 male and 1673 female employees in 21 Israeli industries, examined in the CORDIS Study. In the age group 35-64 years, the age-standardized prevalence of hypertension (>160/95 mm Hg or treated) using the same standard population as the WHO MONICA Study was 17.1% for men and 16.1% for women. The prevalence for men was somewhat below the median country compared with the MONICA centres, whereas for women it was closer to the median. Marked ethnic differences were evident, with those of Western origin having the highest prevalence, and those of Asian origin, the lowest. Of the hypertensives, 35.6% of the men and 33.3% of the women were unaware of their condition. Among men aware, 82.8% were receiving treatment and 59.8% of them were under control; the corresponding percentages for women were 86.2% and 72.8%. Older people were more likely to be aware of their hypertension and receiving treatment. Beta-blockers and diuretics were the predominant drugs of choice. The prevalence of hypertension in occupationally-active pteople in Israel does not appaar to have changed much during the past 10-15 years, although a higher parcentage are aware of their hypartension and are receiving drug therapy. Nevertheless, hypertension remains a major public health problem.