The increased prevalence of hypertension was due to changes in lifestyles, living
conditions, the economy, society and the environment and were a result of development and modernization. In the past,the prevalence of hypertension was high among people who lived in urban areas (Singh et al, 2000; Oliveria et al, 2005), but findings from the 2004 NHESIII showed a uniform prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension across all regions, with a small difference being observed between urban and rural areas (Aekplakorn et al, 2008). This shows development and modernization impact lifestyle and the environment of people who live in rural areas.