Clinical and Experimental Hypertension, 30:327–337, 2008 Copyright © Informa Healthcare USA, Inc. ISSN: 1064-1963 print / 1525-6006 online DOI: 10.1080/10641960802269943 327 LCEH 1064-1963 1525-6006 Clinical and Experimental Hypertension, Vol. 30, No. 5, June 2008: pp. 1–21 Clinical and Experimental Hypertension Gender-Specific Differences in Hypertension Prevalence, Treatment, Control, and Associated Conditions among the Elderly: Data from a Greek Population Gender Differences in Hypertension among the Elderly I. Ninios et al. ILIAS NINIOS, 1 VLASIOS NINIOS, 2 FOTINI LAZARIDOU, 3 KYRIAKOS DIMITRIADIS, 4 OLGA KERASIDOU, 2 AND GEORGE LOURIDAS 1 1 1st Department of Cardiology, AHEPA Hospital, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece 2 Heart Institute, St. Luke’s Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece 3 Department of Cardiology, G. Genimatas Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece 4 Department of Cardiology, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece Purpose. In the present study we sought to assess the gender-specific prevalence, treatment rates, and control of hypertension, as well as to identify its associated conditions and additional cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, in a Greek population aged ³ 65 years old. Methods. This is a population-based study including a clinical interview, an ECG recording, and blood pressure (BP) measurements by sphygmomanometer. Results. The overall prevalence of hypertension was 83.3%, higher in females and increasing with age. In males, hypertension was independently associated with increased body mass index (BMI), a history of stroke, and myocardial infarction, while in females increased age, BMI, and a history of diabetes were independently associated with hypertension. A considerable proportion of hyperten- sives were treated (77.3%), while an effective control of BP was achieved in 42.5% of treated subjects. Despite the fact that hypertension treatment rates did not differ between the genders, control rates were lower among females. Finally, more hypertensive females presented additional CV risk factors than normotensives. Conclusion. Elderly females exhibit a higher prevalence of hypertension and are characterized by lower hypertension control compared to hypertensive males. Keywords hypertension, prevalence, treatment, control, associated conditions Submitted September 10, 2007; revised November 5, 2007; accepted November 15, 2007. Address correspondence to Ilias Ninios, MD, PhD, 10 Parmenionos St., 60100 Katerini, Greece; E-mail: iliasninios@gmail.com