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To estimate the prevalence of hypertension awareness in Puerto Rico, data gathered from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) in 1997 and 1999 were analyzed. The BRFSS gathers uniform data on each state and territory of the United States (U.S.) regarding preventive health practices and risk behaviors that are associated to chronic diseases, injuries, and preventable infectious diseases in the civilian, non-institutionalized, adult (³18 years) population. In 1997 and 1999, the number of interviews completed by the Puerto Rico Department of Health was 2,235 and 3,017, respectively. Hypertension awareness was determined by the number of individuals who were told by a health professional their blood pressure was high among respondents having their blood pressure checked. The weighted prevalence in Puerto Rico was 20.9% (95% CI: 19.1%-22.7%) in 1997 and 26.2% (95% CI: 24.5%-28.0%) in 1999. When compared to the 52 participating states and territories in the U.S., Puerto Rico occupied the 45^th position in 1997 and 13^th position in 1999. When compared to the top ten states in the U.S. with the largest population of Hispanics, Puerto Rico occupied the 8^th position in 1997 and 3^rd position in 1999. Prevalence of hypertension was significantly higher (p<0.05) among individuals characterized by: older age, low annual income, low education, having a health insurance, and diagnosis of diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and overweight/obese. Since the estimated percentage of hypertensives in Puerto Rico excludes individuals with undiagnosed hypertension and those without telephone coverage, the prevalence of hypertension is likely to be higher. These hypertensive individuals are characterized by having a cluster of risk factors and social determinants that increase the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Epidemiologic studies that include blood pressure measurement protocols should be conducted to determine the prevalence of hypertension awareness, treatment and control. This information is essential to plan and implement public health interventions aimed at decreasing associated cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in Puerto Rico.