Screening for hypertension by volunteers in a middle-class community

Screening for hypertension in citizens 30-69 years of age by trained volunteers was initiated by the community of a middle-class town in Holland. At the same time counselling on cardiovascular risk factors was offered to the public. The campaign ran smoothly and at low cost, resulting in 4% hypertensives detected. The population appeared to be well-informed about cardiovascular risk factors in general, but were ignorant of prevailing personal risk factors. Review of results after one and two years shows that a considerable number of identified patients are lost to follow-up in primary health care. It is concluded that an integrated approach for anticipatory care is required for both screening and patient management by primary health care teams.