Abstract: Objective To investigate the prevalence of hypertension among the elderly aged ≥ 60 years old in urban areas of Nanjing. Methods Two cross-sectional surveys were carried out in the same urban areas of Nanjing, China, in 2000 and 2017. The same multi-stage sampling approach was used to randomly select participants. The information of the participants' demographic and anthropometric characteristics was collected. The level of blood pressure was measured. The outcome variables were self-reported hypertension and field-measured hypertension. Chi-square test was used to examine the differences in the prevalence of hypertension between the subgroups by demographic characteristics. Results The crude prevalence of hypertension in the elderly in uban area of Nanjing was 52.9% in 2000 and 65.8% in 2017 (P<0.05). The prevalence of hypertension in the male was higher than that in the female in both years (P<0.05). There were significant differences in the prevalence of hypertension among the elderly with different ages and education levels (P<0.05). The prevalence of self-reported hypertension was increased, while the prevalence of field-measured hypertension was decreased with time (P<0.05). There was a difference in self-reported hypertension prevalence, while no difference in field-measured hypertension prevalence between the elderly with different genders. The highest self-reported hypertension prevalence was observed in those aged 70-79 years old (P<0.05). The awareness rate, treatment and control rate of hypertension in 2017 were significantly higher than those in 2000 (P<0.05). Conclusions The prevalence of hypertension is high in the elderly population in Nanjing, and shows a rising trend. It is important to pay attention to the prevention of hypertension in the male elderly, or in the elderly aged ≥70 years old or with low education level.

Key words: hypertension, aged, prevalence, epidemiological characteristics