Evaluation of hypertension screening in the Hutterite population

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a hypertension screening program on Hutterites from Alberta, Canada who were found to have a diastolic blood pressure greater than 90 mm Hg. At approximately 16 months postscreening, 200 subjects completed a self-administered questionnaire requesting information about physician follow-up and pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapy. Seventy-four percent of the subjects reported that they had their blood pressure measured at least twice since screening. A third of the respondents reported changes in pharmacologic management. Subjects reported weight loss (36%), and salt and alcohol reduction (64% and 48%, respectively) as nonpharmacologic methods for lowering blood pressure. In terms of physician follow-up and pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic modification, the screening program was effective.