Gender differences in the prevalence of hypertension in a representative sample of Iranian population: the Isfahan Healthy Heart Program.

Background: Management and control of hypertension is an important potential health challenge that may result in considerable cardiovascular adverse events especially for women. In this population-based survey, we sought to determine the epidemiology of hypertension among women compared with men in a community sample of Iranians in the 2008s.

Methods: Data were originated from the Isfahan healthy heart program (IHHP) that was designed and launched in 2000 in order to assess the efficacy of lifestyle interventions such as determining the cumulative prevalence of hypertension in a representative sample of Iranian women and to compare it to men.