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Home blood pressure normalcy in non-European adolescents
Thiago V Jardim1,2, Carolina de Souza Carneiro1, Polyana Morais1
1Hypertension League, Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Goiânia, Brazil.
Objective:
Evidence on normal range of home blood pressure (BP) in adolescents relies on only one European study. This study aims to investigate the normal range of home BP in a healthy non-European population of adolescents.
Methods:
Cross-sectional study with a representative sample of secondary school students (12-17 years) from a Brazilian state capital. Adolescents' heights were classified in percentiles according to age and sex. Height percentiles were divided in 50th or less or more than 50th percentile. The home BP protocol included two day-time and two evening-time measurements over 6 days. Exams were considered valid with at least 12 measurements.
Results:
A total of 1024 adolescents were included, mean age 15.21 ± 1.61 years, mostly women (52.4%), from public schools (68.4%) and nonwhite (51.3%). The 50th (midpoint of distribution) and the 95th percentile (upper normal limit) for home SBP and DBP in adolescents are provided by sex, age and height percentiles. There was a marked increase in the estimated 95th percentile for home SBP with increasing age in men for both height percentiles examined (16 mmHg for ≤50th percentile and 14.5 mmHg for >50th percentile) and less so for home DBP (1 and 5 mmHg, respectively). In women, the 95th percentile increase with age was less significant for SBP and similar for DBP when compared with men in the two height percentiles evaluated (6/2 mmHg for ≤50th percentile and 4/4 mmHg for >50th percentile).
Conclusion:
Reference values for home BP by height percentiles for age and sex in a non-European population of adolescents are provided.
Related Concept Videos
Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(one-step method)
Prepare for the Procedure:
Blood Pressure
Blood Pressure
The average BP in an adult is typically around 120/80 mmHg (millimeters of mercury). In this measurement, the numerator (120) indicates the systolic pressure, which is the pressure in the arteries during the contraction of the heart's ventricles as blood is expelled. The denominator (80) represents the...
Special considerations while measuring blood pressure
Monitoring Both Arms:
Monitoring BP in both arms during the initial assessment is advisable, as the systolic value may differ by five to ten mm Hg between arms. For subsequent BP assessments, use the arm with the higher reading.
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Assessing Blood Pressure
Sites for measuring blood pressure
The Brachial Artery: Primary Site for Blood Pressure Measurement

