The Journal of Nutrition Vol. 127 No. 10 October 1997, pp. 2114S-2119S
Copyright ©1997 by the American Society for Nutritional Sciences

Prevalence of Hypertension among Navajo Indians: Findings from the Navajo Health and Nutrition Survey

Chris Percy^*, , David S. Freedman, Tim J. Gilbert^**, Linda White, Carol Ballew, and Ali Mokdad

^* Community Health Services, Shiprock Service Unit, Navajo Area Indian Health Service, Shiprock, NM;  Division of Nutrition, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA; ^** University of Washington, School of Public Health, Seattle, WA; and  Kayenta Service Unit, Navajo Area Indian Health Service, Kayenta, AZ

Hypertension and other chronic diseases are becoming increasingly important health problems for many Native American people, including the Navajo. A community-based survey that included three standardized measurements of blood pressures, was conducted during 1991-92 on the Navajo Reservation. Among the 780 adults examined, the overall age-standardized prevalence of hypertension, defined as an elevated systolic (140 mm Hg) or diastolic (90 mm Hg) blood pressure, or possession of prescription antihypertensive medications, was 19% (24% among men and 15% among women). The prevalence of hypertension increased with age and relative weight, and among men, was associated with diabetes mellitus. Among women, hypertension was associated with a central distribution of body fat, cigarette smoking, self-reported diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance. Although only 50% of the persons found to have elevated blood pressure at the examination reported they had been previously told that they had hypertension, persons who had been previously diagnosed with hypertension had a slightly higher rate (~60%) of blood pressure control than that seen in the general U.S. population. On the basis of these results, the prevalence of hypertension among the Navajo appears to have substantially increased since the 1930s. Improved prevention and management of hypertension, especially for overweight and diabetic individuals, may reduce morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular and renal disease.