ObjectiveTo investigate the blood pressure level and prevalence of hypertension in middle-aged people with positive family history of hypertension in Chengdu area, compare the differences between middle-aged people with positive family history of hypertension and middle-aged people with negative family history of hypertension, and explore the influencing factors of hypertension in middle-aged people with positive family history of hypertension.MethodsFrom September 2013 to March 2014, the stratified sampling method was used to survey 3 096 middle-aged people aged 40-59 years in Chengdu. Their height, weight, blood pressure, blood glucose, and blood lipids were measured. Questionnaire surveys were conducted using a uniformly designed questionnaire. The blood pressure levels and hypertension prevalences were compared between people with and without positive family history of hypertension. The influencing factors of hypertension in middle-aged people with positive family history of hypertension were analyzed using multiple logistic regression.ResultsThere were significant differences between the middle-aged people with positive family history of hypertension and the ones with negative family history of hypertension in systolic blood pressure [(137.4±22.4) vs. (118.0±11.3) mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa), P<0.001], diastolic blood pressure [(84.1±12.2) vs. (73.9±7.7) mm Hg, P<0.001], and prevalence of hypertension (28.6% vs. 22.2%, P<0.001). Ageing [odds ratio (OR)=1.107, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.071, 1.144), P<0.001], monthly personal income ≥3 000 yuan [OR=1.566, 95%CI (1.003, 2.445), P=0.048], and abdominal obesity [OR=1.658, 95%CI (1.091, 2.520), P=0.018] were the risk factors for hypertension in middle-aged males with positive family history. Ageing [OR=2.257, 95%CI (1.202, 4.025), P=0.026] and overweight or obesity [OR=2.365, 95%CI (1.653, 3.385), P<0.001] were the risk factors, and physical exercise [OR=0.529, 95%CI (0.304, 0.918), P=0.024] was the protective factor for hypertension in middle-aged females with positive family history.ConclusionsThe prevalence of hypertension is high in middle-aged population with positive family history of hypertension in Chengdu and is significantly higher than that in the ones with negative family history of hypertension. Strengthening health education on hypertension-related knowledge, and reasonably controlling waist circumference and body weight may have positive significance in preventing or delaying the occurrence of hypertension in people with positive family history of hypertension.