Awareness of hypertension and dyslipidemia in a semirural population of young adults: the Bogalusa Heart Study

BACKGROUND: To assess the awareness of hypertension and dyslipidemia in a semirural population of young adults. METHODS: A cohort of 5,707 individuals was surveyed by a questionnaire. The awareness analysis was done on 1,454 subjects screened for cardiovascular risk factors 5 years earlier. RESULTS: Among the respondents (n = 3,699, 65%), the prevalence of hypertension among blacks and whites was 11% and 7.3% (P < 0.0001), respectively; dyslipidemia, 4.7% and 5.8% (P = 0.27). Results from the screening showed a prevalence of 11.4% in blacks versus 6.0% in whites (P < 0.0001) for hypertension; 14.2% versus 17.9% (P = 0.12) for dyslipidemia. Males had a higher prevalence of dyslipidemia than females (24% vs. 12%, P = 0.001). Five years later, among those informed of their hypertension, males were more likely to be aware of their hypertension than females odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 5.0 (1.4-17.5)]. Increasing age 1.04 (1.0-1.1)], positive parental history of coronary heart disease 2.6 (1.5-4.3)], and higher education level 2.1 (1.2-33.6)] were associated with the awareness of dyslipidemia. Awareness of the condition increased the proportion of subjects receiving treatment for hypertension, but did not change the proportion receiving treatment for dyslipidemia. CONCLUSIONS: These results underscore the need for cardiovascular health education efforts in this population group.