The pooled prevalence of hypertension in Venezuela was 42% (95% CI: 39%-46%), meaning 4 out of 10 Venezuelan adults suffer from hypertension, a rate exceeding that reported in most regional and global studies.
Key Findings
Results
The pooled prevalence of hypertension in Venezuela was 42% based on a global sample of 83,369 individuals.
Pooled prevalence: 42% (95% CI: 39%-46%)
High heterogeneity observed: I2 = 98.6%
Analysis based on 7 studies retained after sensitivity analysis from an initial 13 potentially relevant studies
Global sample size: 83,369 individuals
Meta-analysis used the DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model with inverse variance weighting
Results
Hypertension prevalence was higher in men than the overall pooled estimate.
Prevalence in men: 41% (95% CI: 33%-49%)
High heterogeneity in this subgroup: I2 = 97.6%
Subgroup analysis was conducted to explore potential sources of heterogeneity
Results
Hypertension prevalence was higher among individuals aged 50 years or older.
Prevalence in individuals aged ≥50 years: 45% (95% CI: 42%-48%)
High heterogeneity in this subgroup: I2 = 98.6%
Age ≥50 years represented a subgroup with elevated hypertension burden compared to the overall pooled estimate
Results
Studies with national scope reported higher hypertension prevalence with comparatively lower heterogeneity.
Prevalence in studies with national scope: 49% (95% CI: 48%-50%)
Heterogeneity in nationally scoped studies: I2 = 62.6%
This subgroup had notably lower heterogeneity compared to the overall pooled estimate (I2 = 98.6%)
Methods
The systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines and used the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist for qualitative methodological evaluation.
Literature search conducted across PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, SciELO, LILACS, and Google Scholar
Search period: January 2004 to December 2024
Search conducted in both English and Spanish
Publication bias was analyzed using a funnel plot and Egger's regression test
Of 13 potentially relevant studies, 7 were retained after sensitivity analysis regarding heterogeneity
Conclusions
Venezuela's hypertension prevalence of 42% exceeds rates reported in most regional and global studies.
The authors state the rate exceeds 'that reported in most regional and global studies'
No prior studies had quantitatively synthesized epidemiological data on hypertension in Venezuela
This finding positions Venezuela as having a particularly high hypertension burden in comparative context
Salazar J, Añez R, Briceño S, Bracho M, Esis C, Silva E, et al.. (2026). Prevalence of Hypertension in Venezuela: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.. Journal of clinical hypertension (Greenwich, Conn.). https://doi.org/10.1111/jch.70235