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Hypertension screening in a Hungarian town
S Sonkodi1, V Varró, G Mohácsi
1First Department of Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi School of Medicine, Szeged, Hungary.
Insights
A 1984 hypertension screening in Hungary found high blood pressure in one-third of adults. Obesity, physical labor, and heavy drinking were linked to increased hypertension prevalence.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Cardiovascular Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Hypertension is a significant global health concern.
- Community-based screening programs are vital for early detection and management.
- Understanding hypertension prevalence in diverse populations is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of hypertension in an adult population in Csongrád, Hungary.
- To identify demographic and lifestyle factors associated with hypertension.
- To evaluate awareness of hypertension among diagnosed individuals.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional hypertension screening program involving 13,772 adults (74% of eligible population).
- Data collection included blood pressure measurements, demographic information, and lifestyle factors (alcohol consumption, occupation).
- Hypertension defined using World Health Organization (WHO) criteria.
Main Results:
- One-third of the population had systolic hypertension; one-sixth had diastolic hypertension.
- Hypertension prevalence was higher in younger men and older women.
- Obesity, physical labor in older men, and heavy alcohol consumption were significantly associated with elevated blood pressure.
Conclusions:
- A substantial portion of the screened population had undiagnosed hypertension.
- Lifestyle factors, particularly alcohol consumption, play a significant role in hypertension.
- Targeted public health initiatives are needed for high-risk groups, including obese individuals, blue-collar workers, and heavy drinkers.
Abstract:
In conjunction with a radiological tuberculosis project, a hypertension screening programme was carried out in 1984 on 13,772 people (74% of the eligible adult population) in the Hungarian town of Csongrád. In the younger age groups the blood pressure was found to be higher amongst men, whilst in older groups the women had higher blood pressures. By the WHO criteria, systolic hypertension was detected in one-third of the population and diastolic hypertension in one-sixth. Of the hypertensive patients detected, 34% were previously unaware of their diagnosis. The prevalence of hypertension was elevated particularly amongst obese persons and in the sub-group of physical (blue collar) workers aged over 60 years. There was a significant correlation between alcohol consumption and both systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Hypertension was found in 29.9% of heavy drinkers but in only 20.5% of moderate drinkers or total abstainers.