Prevalence and cardiometabolic risk of suspected and untreated hypertension in middle-aged Lithuanian men: insights from a cardiovascular disease prevention programme

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to estimate the current prevalence of suspected and diagnosed untreated hypertension in middle-aged Lithuanian men. In addition, it seeks to examine the cardiometabolic risk profile associated with these conditions. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of data collected from 2009 to 2019. The dataset included 52 012 male participants aged 40-54 years who participated in the Lithuanian High Cardiovascular Risk (LitHiR) Primary Prevention Programme. We compared the prevalence of dyslipidaemia, diabetes mellitus, smoking, family history of cardiovascular disease (CVD), overweight, obesity based on BMI and waist circumference, metabolic syndrome and cardiometabolic parameters between the normotensive, suspected hypertensive and diagnosed untreated hypertensive groups. RESULTS: All risk factors were more prevalent in suspected and diagnosed untreated hypertensive groups compared to normotensive individuals, with dyslipidaemia being the most prevalent risk factor (91.20 and 93.40%, respectively). The cardiometabolic parameters were also markedly elevated in these groups. Increased waist circumference, elevated total cholesterol, smoking and a family history of CVD were independently associated with both suspected and untreated hypertension. The prevalence of suspected hypertension and diagnosed untreated hypertension in Lithuania slightly increased between 2009 and 2019. Overall, 26.84% of middle-aged men with hypertensive blood pressure readings have no prior diagnosis, while 18.57% of diagnosed individuals are not receiving antihypertensive treatment. CONCLUSION: A considerable number of hypertensive middle-aged men in Lithuania experience prolonged delays in initiating pharmacological interventions.