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Reference values for 24-hour non-invasive ambulatory blood pressure: a population study of men aged fifty
1Department of Family Medicine, Uppsala, Sweden.
Insights
This study monitored blood pressure in 50-year-old men, finding higher average ambulatory blood pressure (BP) than previous studies. High participation and no subject selection likely explain these elevated hypertension readings.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Hypertension prevalence and monitoring are critical public health concerns.
- Establishing reference values for ambulatory blood pressure (BP) in specific demographics is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (BP) in a cohort of 50-year-old men.
- To compare these findings with existing reference data for ambulatory BP.
Main Methods:
- A population-based sample of 126 men aged 50 years underwent 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring.
- A high participation rate of 90% was achieved, with no selection bias based on BP or other variables.
Main Results:
- Average daytime, night-time, and 24-hour ambulatory BP levels were 135/86, 114/68, and 128/80 mmHg, respectively.
- Average casual BP was 137/86 mmHg.
- Ambulatory BP readings in this cohort were higher than those reported in previous reference studies.
Conclusions:
- The elevated ambulatory BP observed may be attributed to the high participation rate and lack of subject selection criteria.
- These findings highlight the importance of considering population characteristics when interpreting ambulatory BP data.
Abstract:
All 50-year-old men (N = 126) living in a defined neighbourhood were invited to undergo 24-hour ambulatory, non-invasive blood pressure (BP) monitoring. The participation rate was 90%. Seven per cent of the subjects were taking antihypertensive drugs and 19% had a current diagnosis of hypertension or had been so diagnosed sometime previously. The 5th, 50th, and 95th percentiles of the subjects' ambulatory BP are presented. On average, daytime, night-time, and 24-hour ambulatory BP were 135/86, 114/68, 128/80 mmHg, respectively, and the average casual BP was 137/86 mmHg. The ambulatory BP in the present study was higher than in previous reference studies. No attempt was made to select the stratified subjects according to casual BP or any other medical or social variable. This and a high participation rate probably account for the difference in ambulatory BP vis-à-vis those found in other reference studies.