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May Measurement Month 2018: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Italy
Camilla Torlasco1,2, Andrea Faini1, Claudio Ferri3
1Department of Cardiovascular, Neural and Metabolic Sciences, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, San Luca Hospital, Piazzale Brescia 20, Milan 20149, Italy.
Insights
High blood pressure (hypertension) affects over a quarter of adults in Italy. This study highlights the need for continued awareness campaigns to improve blood pressure control and cardiovascular health.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of death in Europe, with hypertension as a primary risk factor.
- Despite recognition, hypertension awareness and blood pressure control remain suboptimal.
- A 2017 campaign in Italy identified high blood pressure in 30.6% of participants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To increase public awareness of hypertension.
- To gather nationwide blood pressure data in Italy.
- To assess blood pressure levels and control in the Italian population.
Main Methods:
- An opportunistic cross-sectional survey conducted in May 2018 as part of the May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign.
- Volunteers aged 18 and above were screened at multiple sites by healthcare personnel.
- Standard MMM protocols were used for blood pressure measurement, hypertension definition, and statistical analysis.
Main Results:
- 5554 individuals were screened (48.3% female, mean age 58 years).
- The mean blood pressure was 127/77 mmHg.
- After imputation, 26.3% (1462 participants) had high blood pressure levels.
- Higher Body Mass Index (>25) correlated with elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
- Diabetes was associated with higher diastolic blood pressure only.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a nationwide overview of blood pressure control in a large sample during a public health campaign.
- Healthcare awareness campaigns are effective in reaching a significant population for health promotion.
- Observed trends suggest potential improvement in blood pressure control, warranting further investigation with robust studies.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular (CV) diseases are burdened by high mortality and morbidity, being responsible for half of the deaths in Europe. Although hypertension is recognized as the most important CV risk factor, hypertension awareness and blood pressure (BP) control are still unsatisfactory. In 2017, 30.6% of a >10 000 individual sample who took part in the May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign in Italy was found to have high BP. To raise awareness on the hypertension issue and to report BP data on a nation-wide scale in Italy. In the frame of the MMM campaign, an opportunistic cross-sectional survey of volunteers aged ≥18 was carried out in May 2018. Blood pressure measurement, the definition of hypertension and statistical analysis followed the standard MMM protocol. Screenings were conducted in multiple sites by health care personnel. Among the 5554 people screened (females: 48.3%, mean age 58 ± 17 years) mean BP was 127/77 mmHg, and after imputations, 1462 (26.3%) participants were found to have high BP levels. Body mass index >25 was associated with higher systolic BP and diastolic BP (DBP), while diabetes was associated with high DBP only. Our data provide a nation-wide snapshot of BP control in a sample of individuals participating in a national health care campaign, and confirm the power of this kind of healthcare-related activities in reaching a significant number of people to raise awareness on health topics. The apparent positive trend in BP control compared to available data from other similar campaigns carried out during the past years needs to be confirmed with more methodologically robust studies.
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The Brachial Artery: Primary Site for Blood Pressure Measurement
01:28Special considerations while measuring blood pressure
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Preparation: