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Screening for hypertension in high school.
Naomi Nussinovitch1, Keren Elishkevitz, Talma Rosenthal
1Hypertension Unit, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Clinical Pediatrics
|October 8, 2005
Summary
Hypertension screening in adolescents identified a 0.76% prevalence, with higher systolic blood pressure in males aged 15-17. Early detection of arterial hypertension is crucial for preventing future cardiovascular disease.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Cardiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Arterial hypertension is a significant risk factor for atherosclerotic ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular stroke.
- Early onset of hypertension can lead to long-term cardiovascular complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of hypertension in healthy adolescents aged 13-17 years.
- To analyze sex-based differences in blood pressure measurements and identify risk factors.
Main Methods:
- Blood pressure measurements were taken in the supine position in 6,282 healthy adolescents (3073 boys, 3209 girls).
- Hypertension was defined, and etiological factors for secondary hypertension were recorded.
- Statistical analysis was performed to compare systolic and diastolic blood pressure between sexes and age groups.
Main Results:
- A total of 48 adolescents (0.76%) were diagnosed with hypertension, predominantly idiopathic (35 cases) with 13 secondary cases.
- Systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in males than females at ages 15-17 (p<0.001).
- Diastolic blood pressure was higher in males at age 17 (p<0.05), and males with BMI>17 showed higher systolic pressure.
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of hypertension in this adolescent cohort was 0.76%, primarily idiopathic.
- Early screening for arterial hypertension in adolescents is vital for timely intervention and reducing adult cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.