不同血压水平状态下的中心动脉压与诊室肱动脉血压

目的比较不同血压水平状态下中心动脉压(CAP)与诊室肱动脉血压的差异。方法连续性选取2012年1月至2016年1月就诊于新疆医科大学第一附属医院的原发性高血压患者2647例,另选取同时期在新疆医科大学第一附属医院体检的正常血压者972人。两组研究对象均进行一般情况调查、测定诊室肱动脉血压及无创CAP,比较不同血压水平状态下CAP与诊室肱动脉血压的差异。结果 CAP与诊室血压比较,正常血压组收缩压差值为(12.30±5.00)mm Hg,95%CI为2.50~22.10 mm Hg;舒张压差值为(-1.65±2.12)mm Hg,95%CI为-5.81~2.51mm Hg;脉压差值为(13.97±5.35)mm Hg,95%CI为3.48~24.46mm Hg。高血压组收缩压差值为(13.40±14.19)mm Hg,95%CI为-14.41~40.79mm Hg;舒张压差值为(-1.19±11.87)mm Hg,95%CI为-24.46~22.08mm Hg;脉压差值为(14.52±19.85)mm Hg,95%CI为-24.39~53.40mm Hg。高血压组与正常血压组,中心动脉收缩压(CASP)、中心动脉舒张压(CADP)、中心动脉脉压均随着对应诊室收缩压(OSP)、诊室舒张压(ODP)、诊室脉压的升高而升高(P0.01)。受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线示,对于高血压组1级的诊断,OSP与CASP的曲线下面积分别为0.994(95%CI0.992~0.995)和0.982(0.978~0.986);ODP与CADP的曲线下面积分别为0.925(0.917~0.934)和0.914(0.905~0.923)。若以CAP对高血压进行分级,本研究人群CAP 1,2,3级水平分别为123.5/82.5mm Hg(约登指数=0.869,0.678),136.5/96.5(约登指数=0.323,0.750)和155.5/106.5mm Hg(约登指数=0.553,0.654)。结论 CAP与诊室血压的一致性较好,舒张压的一致性好于收缩压、脉压的一致性。诊室血压仍可作为诊断高血压的较为简便、实用、广泛的方法。     

老年隐蔽性高血压的检出率和影响因素

目的探讨老年隐蔽性高血压(MH)的检出率和影响因素。方法在参加健康体检的开滦离退休员工中整群抽取年龄≥60岁的人群2814例进行动态血压监测,符合入选标准者2464例,分析其中493例诊室血压140/90mm Hg老年人MH的患病情况,采用Logistic回归分析影响老年MH的相关因素。结果 493例诊室血压140/90mm Hg老年人中MH的检出率为15.4%(76/493),男性为17.0%(55/324),女性为12.4%(21/169)。其中,正常血压组(收缩压120且舒张压80mm Hg)、正常高值血压1组(收缩压120～130或舒张压80～85mm Hg)和正常高值血压2组(收缩压130～140或舒张压85～90mm Hg)MH检出率分别为8.3%、11.9%、22.5%;正常高值血压2组检出MH的危险性是正常血压组的4.017倍(95%CI 1.676～9.655);腰围、吸烟、高盐膳食与MH相关,OR(95%CI)分别为2.328(1.286～4.214)、2.484(1.196～5.161)和2.015(1.090～3.725)。结论诊室血压140/90mm Hg的老年人中MH的检出率为15.4%,收缩压130～140或舒张压85～90mm Hg、腰围增加、吸烟及高盐膳食是MH的危险因素。     

男性和女性人群C反应蛋白与血压的相关性

目的探讨自然人群中男性和女性C反应蛋白(CRP)与血压的关系。方法研究人群源于前瞻性城乡流行病学研究中国队列(PURE-China)中云南、四川省社区成年人3456名。按CRP四分位数将人群分为4组:G1组(CRP0.14mg/L)、G2组(CRP 0.14~0.45mg/L)、G3组(CRP 0.45~1.42mg/L)、G4组(CRP≥1.42mg/L)。结果收缩压、舒张压均随CRP浓度的升高而升高;与G1组相比,男女G4组收缩压、舒张压水平明显升高[男:(137.0±24.7)/(85.1±14.7)比(128.6±20.6)/(79.7±12.8)mm Hg;女:(133.8±23.3)/(83.0±13.0)比(122.0±19.9)/(76.4±10.5)mm Hg;均P0.05]。多因素Logistic回归模型提示,CRP与高血压发病独立相关,女性G4组高血压患病风险是G1组的1.588倍(95%CI1.155~2.181;P=0.004),男性G4组高血压患病风险是G1组的1.651倍(95%CI1.145~2.381;P=0.007)。结论在男性和女性人群中,CRP均与血压、高血压发病独立相关。     

单日和3日血压测量对人群高血压患病率的影响

目的社区人群中比较单日血压和3日血压测量对高血压患病率的影响。方法于2015年4-9月在北京、浙江和河南3省市对常住居民47 955人进行高血压筛查,年龄35~75(54.2±15.3)岁。每次血压测量3遍,间隔1min,取平均值为最终血压值。既往无高血压病史、当日收缩压和(或)舒张压高于高血压诊断切点者定为可疑高血压。对可疑高血压患者,在随后1个月内,再进行非同日2次血压测定。3日的收缩压均≥140和(或)舒张压≥90mm Hg时确诊为高血压。比较单日血压和3日血压测量对人群高血压诊断的影响。结果在筛查的47 955人中,明确高血压患者7344例,可疑高血压人群3221例,依据单日血压判断的高血压患病率为22.0%。在3221例可疑高血压人群中,仅425例(13.2%)符合临床高血压诊断标准,3日血压临床高血压确诊率为16.2%,较单日血压诊断低5.8个百分点。通过3日血压测量确诊的高血压组和非高血压组比较,年龄、大量饮酒率和首日收缩压差异有统计学意义(P0.01)。多因素Logistic回归分析显示,在可疑高血压患者中,调整其他因素后,老年和收缩压舒张压均升高者更可能被确诊为高血压患者,OR(95%CI)分别为4.470(1.451~13.722)(年龄65~74岁),5.358(1.577~18.203)(年龄≥75岁),3.766(2.018~7.027)。高盐膳食者诊断相对风险较低[OR(95%CI)=0.331(0.161~0.679)]。结论依据单日血压测量评估的高血压患病率高于非同日3次血压测量方法的结果。     

国外动态

高血压前期有增加心血管病死亡的危险吗?AmJ of Geriatric Cardiology,2005,14:126-131.作者评估JNC7高血压分期对心血管病病死率的影响,还研究了这些影响与年龄是否有关?对一组53163名正常健康人,年龄39~85岁,随访5·7年。作者计算心血管病死亡的相对危险比,95%可信限。矫正了主要危险因素,再按不同年龄(39~49,50~59,60~69,70~84岁)与正常血压的人相比较,高血压前期(SBP≥120mm Hg,<140mm Hg)发生心血管死亡相对危险比为1·02(95%CI0·73~1·42),高血压病人(SBP≥140mm Hg)RR为1·54(95%CI1·08~2·19)。结果提示高血压前期的人心…     

膳食胆固醇摄入量对我国成人血压值和高血压发病影响的多水平纵向研究

目的分析我国成年人膳食胆固醇摄入量对血压值及高血压发病的影响。方法利用中国健康与营养调查数据,研究对象为1993-2011年至少参加两轮调查且在进入队列时血压值正常年龄18~60岁的成人,共7754(男性3756、女性3998)人。应用三水平混合效应模型进行分析:模型1,只纳入膳食胆固醇摄入量;模型2,在模型1的基础上,纳入个人水平变量;模型3,在模型2的基础上,纳入社区变量。结果与不摄入膳食胆固醇的男女性相比,膳食胆固醇摄入量最高组收缩压增加了1.87(男性,95%CI 1.01~2.73,P0.05)、1.44mm Hg(女性,95%CI0.54~2.35,P0.05);舒张压升高了2.04(男性,95%CI 1.40~2.67,P0.05)、0.82mm Hg(女性,95%CI0.21~1.44,P0.05);男性和女性发生高血压的相对危险分别是1.78(95%CI 1.29~2.45,P0.05)和1.23(95%CI0.87~1.74,P=0.25)。在调整了个体水平、社区水平、基线血压值和基线年龄后,与不摄入膳食胆固醇组相比,胆固醇摄入量与男性收缩压和舒张压呈正相关,与女性收缩压和舒张压呈负相关,男性和女性的膳食胆固醇摄入水平最高组发生高血压的相对危险分别增加,但都无统计学意义。结论无论男性还是女性,膳食胆固醇摄入对血压值和高血压发病风险可能没有影响。     

血清内脂素水平与血压的关系

目的探讨体检人群血清内脂素与血压的关系。方法 2011年3月至5月,收集常州市第二人民医院体检人群769名进行标准流行病学问卷调查,测量血压和心率,测定生化指标及血清内脂素水平。按照《中国高血压防治指南2010》将研究人群分为正常血压组(收缩压120和舒张压80mm Hg,n=294)、正常高值血压组[收缩压120~139和(或)舒张压80~89mm Hg,n=283]、1级高血压组[收缩压140~159和(或)舒张压90~99mm Hg,n=129]和2~3级高血压组[收缩压≥160和(或)舒张压≥100mm Hg,n=63]。结果与正常血压组比较,正常高值血压、1级和2~3级高血压组的血清内脂素水平较高[(37.23±0.75)、(53.17±1.11)、(61.05±1.59)比(22.22±0.73)μg/L],组间两两比较,差异有统计学意义(均P0.01)。多元回归分析结果显示,血清内脂素水平是收缩压、舒张压和平均动脉压的独立影响因素(均P0.01)。结论血清内脂素与血压水平独立相关。     

老年血压控制不良患者平均动脉压与脑卒中关系的研究

目的探讨老年人血压控制不良患者平均动脉压(MAP)与脑卒中患病的关系。方法采用询问和查询病例资料等方法,收集北京安贞医院门诊、所属社区卫生服务中心和服务站门诊筛查血压控制不良的高血压患者1363例,其中脑卒中患者82例。结果脉压≥80mm Hg(1mm Hg=0.133kPa)的患者中,女性所占比例明显高于男性(P<0.01);女性MAP<80mm Hg的比例明显高于男性;男性舒张压控制不良的比例明显高于女性(P<0.01)。排除混杂因素影响后,随着年龄增长、糖尿病、MAP的增加,脑卒中患病危险程度明显增高,OR值分别为1.053、2.987和1.024。以MAP≤75mm Hg和≥95mm Hg为节点,与≤75mm Hg比较,≥95mm Hg脑卒中的患病危险程度增加(OR=2.971,95%CI:1.097～8.050,P<0.05)。结论 MAP可以作为心脑血管事件的独立因素来预测血压控制不良老年高血压患者脑卒中发生的风险。老年高血压患者的MAP建议控制范围与正常成人MAP正常值不同。除MAP外,老年和伴有糖尿病也对脑卒中的患病率有影响。     

正常高值血压对2型糖尿病动脉粥样硬化的影响

c回归分析表明,与正常血压相比,正常高值血压是动脉粥样硬化(最大IMT≥1.1 mm:OR2.10,95%CL 1.28～3.44;baPWV≥1 400 cm/s:OR 3.09,95%CI 1.78-5.36)的独立危险因素.结论 在2型糖尿病中正常高值血压是动脉粥样硬化的独立危险因素.在2型糖尿病患者,保持收缩压<120mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa)和舒张压<80 mm Hg,可以降低糖尿病动脉粥样硬化的风险.     

老年高血压患者诊室血压和动态血压达标情况分析

目的探讨老年高血压患者诊室血压和动态血压达标情况及影响因素。方法在参加2010-2011年度健康体检的开滦离退休员工中整群抽取年龄≥60岁的2814人进行动态血压监测,符合入选标准者2464人,分析其中754例服用抗高血压药物的老年高血压患者诊室血压达标(诊室血压140/90mm Hg)和24h动态血压达标(24h平均血压130/80mm Hg)情况。采用Logistic回归分析影响老年高血压患者动态血压不达标的相关因素。结果老年高血压患者754例中,诊室血压达标率19.2%(95%CI16.4%~22.0%),24h动态血压达标率33.6%(95%CI30.2%~37.0%)。诊室血压达标的145例老年高血压患者中,24h动态血压达标率为51.0%(95%CI42.9%~59.1%),男性、体质量指数(BMI)是24h动态血压不达标的危险因素,OR值(95%CI)分别为2.942(1.155~7.498),1.195(1.031~1.386)。诊室血压不达标的609例老年高血压患者中,24h动态血压达标率为29.4%(95%CI25.8%~33.0%),男性、诊室收缩压、BMI是24h动态血压不达标的危险因素,OR值(95%CI)分别为1.679(1.125~2.506),1.030(1.019~1.042),1.067(1.007~1.130)。结论老年高血压患者诊室血压和动态血压达标率低,男性、BMI、诊室收缩压是影响24h动态血压不达标的危险因素。     

Determining the Optimal Systolic Blood Pressure for Hypertensive Patients: A Network Meta-analysis

Background

There is clinical trial evidence that lowering systolic blood pressure (SBP) to < 120 mm Hg is beneficial, and this has influenced the latest American guideline on hypertension. We therefore used network meta-analysis to study the association between SBP and cardiovascular outcomes.

A Large Cohort Study Evaluating Risk Factors Associated With Uncontrolled Hypertension

Hypertension is the most common primary diagnosis in the United States. Risks for long‐term consequences such as myocardial infarction, heart failure, stroke, and kidney disease continue to significantly increase as long as hypertension remains uncontrolled. This retrospective cohort study of 661,075 patients identified with uncontrolled hypertension, defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥140 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥90 mm Hg, from a large integrated healthcare organization was conducted to examine multiple patient characteristics to determine their association with uncontrolled hypertension. Multivariate analysis revealed that compared with Caucasians, African Americans (odds ratio [OR], 1.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16–1.20) were significantly associated with uncontrolled hypertension, as were unpartnered populations (OR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.14–1.17), number of antihypertensive medications prescribed (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.33–1.41), and adherence to most antihypertensive medications. A secondary analysis found an association between uncontrolled blood pressure and Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 (PHQ‐9) score (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.16–1.26). Our findings suggest that the presence of these identified risk factors recommends a commitment to a more aggressive hypertension management program to prevent cardiovascular disease caused by uncontrolled hypertension.     

Prognostic value of systolic and diastolic blood pressure in treated hypertensive men

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the cardiovascular risk in hypertensive subjects according to systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 4714 hypertensive men, treated by their physician, who had a standard health checkup at the d'Investigations Préventives et Cliniques Center, Paris, France, between 1972 and 1988. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality were assessed for a mean period of 14 years. RESULTS: Among treated subjects, 85.5% presented uncontrolled values for SBP (> or = 40 mm Hg) and/or DBP (> or = 90 mm Hg). After adjustment for age and associated risk factors, these subjects presented an increased risk for CVD mortality (risk ratio [RR], 1.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-2.64) and for CHD mortality (RR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.03-5.35) compared with controlled subjects. After adjustment for age, associated risk factors, and DBP, and compared with subjects with SBP under 140 mm Hg, the RR for CVD mortality was 1.81 (95% CI, 1.04-3.13) in subjects with SBP between 140 and 160 mm Hg and 1.94 (95% CI, 1.10-3.43) in subjects with SBP over 160 mm Hg. By contrast, after adjustment for SBP levels, CVD risk was not associated with DBP. Compared with subjects with DBP under 90 mm Hg, RR for CVD mortality was 1.17 (95% CI, 0.80-1.70) in subjects with DBP between 90 and 99 mm Hg and 1.03 (95% CI, 0.67-1.56) in subjects with DBP over 100 mm Hg. Similar results were observed for CHD mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In hypertensive men treated in clinical practice, SBP is a good predictor of CVD and CHD risk. Diastolic blood pressure, which remains the main criterion used by most physicians to determine drug efficacy, appears to be of little value in determining cardiovascular risk. Evaluation of risk in treated individuals should take SBP rather than DBP values into account.     

High-normal blood pressure progression to hypertension in the Framingham Heart Study

This study sought to determine if individuals with high-normal blood pressure (diastolic blood pressure of 85-89 mm Hg) progress to hypertension more frequently than those with normal blood pressure (diastolic blood pressure less than 85 mm Hg), thus advancing to a higher cardiovascular risk category. Individuals from the Framingham Heart Study were placed in normal and high-normal blood pressure categories and followed for 26 years for the development of hypertension. With hypertension defined as a diastolic blood pressure of 95 mm Hg or greater or the initiation of antihypertensive therapy, 23.6% of men and 36.2% of women with normal blood pressure developed hypertension compared with 54.2% of men and 60.6% of women with high-normal blood pressure. The relative risk for the development of hypertension associated with high-normal blood pressure was 2.25 for men (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8-2.8; p less than 0.0001) and 1.89 for women (95% CI, 1.5-2.3; p less than 0.0001). The age-adjusted relative risks estimated by the proportional hazards model were 3.36 for men and 3.37 for women (p less than 0.001). Among those risk factors examined, baseline systolic and diastolic blood pressure, Metropolitan relative weight, and change in weight over time were significant predictors of future hypertension in men and women whose initial blood pressure was normal. For men with high-normal blood pressure, systolic blood pressure and change in weight were identified as risk factors for future hypertension. These results indicate that the probability of individuals with blood pressure in the high-normal range developing hypertension is twofold to threefold higher than in those with normal blood pressure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Risk of progression to hypertension in a low-income Mexican population with prehypertension and normal blood pressure

BACKGROUND: Blood pressure (BP) levels below the prehypertensive category may be associated with the risk of developing hypertension. We estimated the incidence rates of hypertension in a low-income Mexican population according to several subcategories of baseline BP within normal and prehypertensive categories. METHODS: In total, 1572 nonhypertensive men (n = 632) and nonpregnant women (n = 940), aged 35 to 64 years at baseline, were followed for a median of 5.8 years. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) >or=140 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) >or=90 mm Hg, or a self-reported physician's diagnosis with antihypertensive medications. RESULTS: During follow-up, 267 subjects developed hypertension, of whom 83 were men and 184 were women. The age-adjusted incidence rate was higher in women (37.1 per 1000 person-years) than in men (23.7 per 1000 person-years). There was a significant association between BP levels at baseline and incidence of hypertension, even within the normal category. For the upper levels of normal SBP (110 to 119 mm Hg), the hazards ratio (HR) was 2.43 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.50 to 3.93) in women and 2.44 (95% CI, 1.05 to 5.69) in men, compared with SBP <110 mm Hg. For the upper levels of normal DBP (70 to 79 mm Hg), the HR was 2.33 (95% CI, 1.65 to 3.31) in women and 1.80 (95% CI, 0.92 to 3.52) in men, compared with DBP <70 mm Hg, after adjustment for recognized predictors. CONCLUSIONS: A high risk for the incidence of hypertension was associated with levels of BP, even within the normal category. This information could help define a population at high risk of progression to hypertension, to establish preventive measures.     

The effects of blood pressure and antihypertensive drugs on heart failure: A Mendelian randomization study

Background and aimsHeart failure (HF) is often triggered by hypertension and can benefit from antihypertensive treatment. We aimed to investigate whether pulse pressure (PP) could independently raise the risk of HF beyond systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), as well as explore the potential mechanisms of antihypertensives in HF prevention.Methods and resultsWe generated genetic proxies for SBP, DBP, PP, and five drug classes based on a massive genome-wide association study. We applied two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) using summary statistics derived from European individuals and conducted summary data-based MR (SMR) with gene expression data. In univariate analysis, PP showed an obvious association with HF risk (OR, 1.24 per 10 mm Hg increment; 95% CI, 1.16 to 1.32), which was largely attenuated in multivariable analysis when adjusted for SBP (0.89; 0.77 to 1.04). A significant decrease in HF risk was obtained with genetically proxied β-blockers (equivalent to a 10 mm Hg reduction in SBP, 0.71; 0.62 to 0.82) and calcium channel blockers (0.71; 0.65 to 0.78), but not with genetically proxied angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (0.69; 0.40 to 1.19) and thiazide diuretics (0.80; 0.47 to 1.37). Additionally, the enrichment of expression for the KCNH2 gene, a target gene of β-blockers, in blood vessels and nerves was significantly associated with HF risk.ConclusionOur findings suggest that PP may not be an independent risk factor for HF. β-blockers and calcium channel blockers have a protective effect against HF, which at least partly depends on their blood pressure-lowering effect.     

High blood pressure is inversely related with the presence and extent of coronary collaterals

Patients with hypertension have an increased case fatality during acute myocardial infarction (MI). Coronary collateral (CC) circulation has been proposed to reduce the risk of death during acute ischaemia. We determined whether and to which degree high blood pressure (BP) affects the presence and extent of CC circulation. A cross-sectional study in 237 patients (84% males), admitted for elective coronary angioplasty between January 1998 and July 2002, was conducted. Collaterals were graded with Rentrop's classification (grade 0-3). CC presence was defined as Rentrop-grade > or =1. BP was measured twice with an inflatable cuff manometer in seated position. Pulse pressure was calculated by systolic blood pressure (SBP)-diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Mean arterial pressure was calculated by DBP+1/3 x (SBP-DBP). Systolic hypertension was defined by a reading > or =140 mmHg. We used logistic regression with adjustment for putative confounders. SBP (odds ratio (OR) 0.86 per 10 mmHg; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.73-1.00), DBP (OR 0.67 per 10 mmHg; 95% CI 0.49-0.93), mean arterial pressure (OR 0.73 per 10 mmHg; 95% CI 0.56-0.94), systolic hypertension (OR 0.49; 95% CI 0.26-0.94), and antihypertensive treatment (OR 0.53; 95% CI 0.27-1.02), each were inversely associated with the presence of CCs. Also, among patients with CCs, there was a graded, significant inverse relation between levels of SBP, levels of pulse pressure, and collateral extent. There is an inverse relationship between BP and the presence and extent of CC circulation in patients with ischaemic heart disease.     

Control of hypertension in adults with chronic kidney disease in the United States

Although improved control of hypertension is known to attenuate progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), little is known about the adequacy of hypertension treatment in adults with CKD in the United States. Using data from the Fourth National Health and Nutrition Survey, we assessed adherence to national hypertension guideline targets for patients with CKD (blood pressure <130/80 mm Hg), we assessed control of systolic (<130 mm Hg) and diastolic (<80 mm Hg) blood pressure, and we evaluated determinants of adequate blood pressure control. Presence of CKD was defined as glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 or presence of albuminuria (albumin:creatinine ratio >30 microg/mg). Multivariable logistic regression with appropriate weights was used to determine predictors of inadequate hypertension control and related outcomes. Among 3213 participants with CKD, 37% had blood pressure <130/80 mm Hg (95% confidence interval [CI], 34.5% to 41.8%). Of those with inadequate blood pressure control, 59% (95% CI, 54% to 64%) had systolic >130 mm Hg, with diastolic < or =80 mm Hg, whereas only 7% (95% CI, 3.9 to 9.8%) had a diastolic pressure >80 mm Hg, with systolic blood pressure < or =130 mm Hg. Non-Hispanic black race (odds ratio [OR], 2.4; 95% CI, 1.5 to 3.9), age >75 years (OR, 4.7; 95% CI, 2.7 to 8.2), and albuminuria (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.4 to 4.1) were independently associated with inadequate blood pressure control. We conclude that control of hypertension is poor in participants with CKD and that lack of control is primarily attributable to systolic hypertension. Future guidelines and antihypertensive therapies for patients with CKD should target isolated systolic hypertension.     

Prevalence of Hypertension in Member Countries of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC): Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Hypertension is a leading attributable risk factor for mortality in South Asia. However, a systematic review on prevalence and risk factors for hypertension in the region of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has not carried out before.The study was conducted according to the Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology Guideline. A literature search was performed with a combination of medical subject headings terms, “hypertension” and “Epidemiology/EP”. The search was supplemented by cross-references. Thirty-three publications that met the inclusion criteria were included in the synthesis and meta-analyses. Hypertension is defined when an individual had a systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥140 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥90 mm Hg, was taking antihypertensive drugs, or had previously been diagnosed as hypertensive by health care professionals. Prehypertension is defined as SBP 120–139 mm Hg and DBP 80–89 mm Hg.The overall prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension from the studies was found to be 27% and 29.6%, respectively. Hypertension varied between the studies, which ranged from 13.6% to 47.9% and was found to be higher in the studies conducted in urban areas than in rural areas. The prevalence of hypertension from the latest studies was: Bangladesh: 17.9%; Bhutan: 23.9%; India: 31.4%; Maldives: 31.5%; Nepal: 33.8%; Pakistan: 25%; and Sri Lanka: 20.9%. Eight out of 19 studies with information about prevalence of hypertension in both sexes showed that the prevalence was higher among women than men. Meta-analyses showed that sex (men: odds ratio [OR] 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02, 1.37), obesity (OR 2.33; 95% CI: 1.87, 2.78), and central obesity (OR 2.16; 95% CI: 1.37, 2.95) were associated with hypertension.Our study found a variable prevalence of hypertension across SAARC countries, with a number of countries with blood pressure above the global average. We also noted that studies are not consistent in their data collection about hypertension and related modifiable risk factors.