Data on the prevalence of Hypertension (HTN) among elderly Asians is limited. We investigated the prevalence of elevated blood pressure (EBP) and its risk factors in a multiracial Southeast Asian elderly population who participated in the National Kidney Foundation Singapore nationwide screening programme. Among 19,848 subjects ≥ 65 years (approximately 6% of the total Singapore population), the mean age was 70.6 ± 5.26 yrs. After excluding 36.6% with known HTN, analysis revealed that 5,889 (46.8%) of the remaining population had previously undetected EBP >140/ 90. Increasing age, male gender, BMI ≥ 23 kg/m2 and pre-existing diabetes were significantly associated with previously undetected EBP on multivariate analysis. 6% of cases with undetected EBP had proteinuria suggestive of longstanding EBP and renal damage. We conclude that there is a high prevalence of undetected EBP in elderly Asians, suggesting the need for increased e forts in screening in the elderly population. Asia Pac J
Public Health 2007; 19(2): 3—9.