Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.

The aims of this public-funded study were to assess prevalence, diagnosis, treatment and control of hypertension in the adult population in France in 2015 and to describe temporal trends between 2006 and 2015.

A cross-sectional survey (Esteban) based on a multistage sampling design was conducted in France in 2015–2016. The design was the same as the one of the 2006-survey. Both samples were representative of the French adult population (18–74 years). Blood pressure (BP) was measured during a health examination. Sociodemographic characteristics and risk factors were collected by questionnaires. Reimbursements of pharmacological treatments came from the national health insurance inter-scheme information system. Hypertension was defined by systolic blood pressure>140mmHg, diastolic blood pressure>90mmHg, or a reimbursement of BP-lowering drugs.

2169 adults (men: 42.2%) had a least two BP measurements. Mean age was 46.9 years. Mean BP was 131.2/78 in men and 121.8/74.9mmHg in women. The BP was>140mmHg or>90mmHg in 29.5% of men and in 17.7% of women. The prevalence of hypertension was 30.6% [28.1–33.2] (36.5% in men and 25.1% in women). Among hypertensive adults, 47.3% [42.3–52.2] were treated with BP-lowering drugs. Among hypertensive treated adults, 49.6% were controlled (41.4% in men and 60.1% in women). Since 2006, even though the prevalence, awareness and control of this disease remained stable, the proportion of women treated decreased significantly (P=0.008). Considering the threshold of 130/80mmHg, the prevalence of hypertension would increase up to 48.8% and control rate would decrease down to 19.2%.

During the past decade, despite production of several guidelines and incentives, the prevalence of hypertension remained high and the treatment and the control of hypertension didn’t significantly improve in France.