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The coming epidemic: hypertension in rural Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 19, pages 145–148 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

Eastern Europe is experiencing an epidemic of cardiovascular disease far outpacing rates in Western Europe. This epidemic was heralded by a precipitous rise in hypertension prevalence. The former Soviet states of Central Asia may be facing a similar epidemic. In order to access this threat, we performed a retrospective analysis of data generated during humanitarian medical visits to two villages in Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia. The age-adjusted prevalence of hypertension was 39%. Hypertension was much more common among men than women (46 vs 33%, respectively). In addition, the rise in blood pressure with age was striking, surpassing the experience in Western countries. This epidemic of hypertension may herald a coming epidemic of cardiovascular disease in Central Asia.

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Acknowledgements

Dr Young was supported by NIH NCRR K23 RR16056 and Dr Klag by NIH-NIDDK K-24 DK02856.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    J H Young & M J Klag

  2. Department of Epidemiology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA

    J H Young & M J Klag

  3. Department of Nursing, The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA

    P Parler

  4. Ala Too Ashari, Bishkek and Naryn, Kyrgyzstan

    B Bristol

  5. Department of Health Policy and Management, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA

    M J Klag

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  1. J H Young
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  2. P Parler
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  3. B Bristol
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  4. M J Klag
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Correspondence to J H Young.

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Conflicts of interest: none.

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Young, J., Parler, P., Bristol, B. et al. The coming epidemic: hypertension in rural Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia. J Hum Hypertens 19, 145–148 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1001791

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