The prevalence of hypertension among Chinese people aged 35 to 74 has reached 27.2 percent, putting the blood pressure of 130 million adults above the normal level, according to a 2000-01 study jointly conducted by researchers from China, the United States and Australia.

The researchers found that both the prevalence rate and the absolute number of hypertensive patients in China had increased rapidly compared with previous studies. There were 30 million people with hypertension in 1960 and 94 million in 1991.

Gu Dongfeng -- a professor from the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, who was in charge of the study -- said: "The worst thing is that the increasing rate of hypertension among young people is much higher than among the elderly.

"If no preventative measures are taken, the prevalence of cardiovascular disease caused by hypertension will inevitably rise in China."

Cardiovascular diseases have become the leading killer in China, he said.

"On average, two to three people die of a stroke every minute in China and hypertension is a significant cause," said Gu.

The professor said that major causes were an unhealthy lifestyle and diet -- including a high intake of salt, sugar and high-calorie food, less physical exercise, smoking and alcohol abuse -- in conjunction with a faster pace of life and greater pressures.

He said routine physical check-ups and a change of lifestyle are effective in the control and prevention of hypertension but said not many people seemed to be aware of this.

Fifty-five percent of hypertension sufferers were unaware of their condition, the research showed. Of those who knew they are ill, less than 30 percent took the appropriate medication. Of those taking medicine, only 10 percent successfully kept their blood pressure at a safe level.

Gu said the government should rank hypertension among China's key public health problems.

(Xinhua News Agency September 2, 2002)