Kumar, SMishra, CP2025-07-312025-07-312008https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14572/1029Kumar S 1 , Mishra CP2 1 Lecturer, Department of Community Medicine, CMS Bharatpur, Nepal, 2Reader, Department of Community Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU, IndiaAbstract Aims and Objectives: The objective of the study was to find the prevalence and spectrum of hypertension in a rural area of Varanasi, India. Materials and methods: This was a cross sectional study carried on 3600 subjects ≥30 years of age and residents of three villages around Varanasi.The period of study was from April 2002 to January 2003. Results: The overall prevalence of hypertension 13.6%. As much as 25.05% of the total subjects were in the category of High Normal. Among the hypertensives 80.5% had Stage 1 hypertension. With advancing age the prevalence of hypertension increased significantly. Conclusion: It is alarming to note that 1/4th of the study subjects had blood pressure in the range of High Normal and are a potential risk group. Of the hypertensive, 80% had Stage 1 hypertension which can be prevented and normalised by adopting lifestyle modification. Key words: hypertension, prevalence, spectrum, rural area.en-USArticle