This paper aimed to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of hypertension and associated factors in an elderly population living in municipalities of the Legal Amazon region in Mato Grosso state, Brazil - Alta Floresta, Sinop, Sorriso and Diamantino. Cross-sectional, population-based study, conducted through a household survey with 312 elderly. The survey sample was obtained by simple sampling and cluster in stages. The individuals who had > 140/90 mmHg and / or reported use of antihypertensive medication were considered hypertensive. Poisson regression analysis was used to test the association between hypertension and the independent variables. The prevalence of hypertension was 67.4%. The variables were associated with hypertension in males were marital status (p=0.012) and body mass index (p=0.025). Among females, were age (p= 0.026), smoking (p=0.030) and body mass index (p=0.034). Among the elderly, 78.3% were aware of their condition, and among these, 97.9% underwent treatment. But among those who were treated only 43.7% had their blood pressure controlled. The high prevalence of hypertension and its association with cardiovascular risk factors, as well as the percentage of elderly with controlled blood pressure, reinforce the need for implementation of public policies aimed at prevention, control and promotion of health in the elderly population.
Epidemiology; Hypertension; Risk Factors; Elderly
