Objective of the work is to evaluate the prevalence of arterial hypertension, awareness of it, its treatment and control in the Czech part of the Pardubice-Augsburg Study. A random sample of 191 men aged 45-64 years was invited for examination. Arterial hypertension according to the present definition of WHO/International Society of Hypertension (blood pressure > or = 140/90 mm Hg = 18.8/12kPa) was recorded in 113 subjects, its prevalence being 59% .55% hypertensive patients were aware of their diagnosis. 40% of the hypertensive patients were on pharmacological treatment. Hypertension control was achieved in 9% of the treated and in 4% of all hypertensive subjects. Hypertension Control in the investigated representative population sample is inadequate. The greatest problem the inadequate reduction of blood pressure to target values. Comparison of hypertension control using older (BP > or = 160/95 mm Hg = 21.3/12.6 kPa) and present (BP > or = 140/90 mm Hg = 18.6/12 kPa) definitions of arterial hypertension suggests that the great majority of unsuccessfully treated hypertensive subjects has borderline blood pressure values.

Keywords: Czech Republic /epidemiology/; Humans; Hypertension /drug therapy/; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence