Worksite-screenings for hypertension with follow-up: experiences from the Munich Blood Pressure Program

In 1983/84, the Munich Blood Pressure Program (MBP) performed worksite screenings for arterial hypertension at 18 Munich companies. A participation of 51% (n = 7310) was achieved. After duplicate measurements of casual blood pressure 1084 participants were suspected of having actual hypertension. All suspected cases were invited for a reexamination to reduce the number of false-positive hypertensives. Individuals with persisting hypertension after this two-step-screening were predominantly male, on the average younger than 50 years and showed a low level of antihypertensive drug treatment. About 75% of all detected hypertensives saw a family physician subsequent to the screenings for further management. Referrals and patient compliance were frequently reinforced by a computer based reminder system. A follow-up examination was performed among the MBP participants after two years. It showed that in 417 confirmed hypertensives of the primary screenings a marked increase in the proportion of treated and controlled hypertensives had occurred. This was true for younger and older hypertensives.