5C.02: PREVALENCE OF HYPERTENSION AND OTHER CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS IN PARTICIPANTS IN THE 2014 HYPERTENSION WORLD DAY CAMPAIGN IN ITALY. (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Torlasco, C.; Calvanese, C.; Faini, A.; Santini, F.; Borghi, C.; Parati, G.
• Is Part Of: Journal of hypertension. Volume 33(2015)Supplement 1
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Hypertension -- Periodicals; Hypertension -- Periodicals; 616.132005
• DOI: 10.1097/01.hjh.0000467532.05123.ec
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1473-5598

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: Aim of our study was to obtain information on prevalence and awareness of hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors in individuals participating in the 2014 "World Hypertension Day" in Italy. Design and method: During the 2014 "World Hypertension Day", health care providers from 50 hypertension centers affiliated to the Italian Society of Hypertension, spread all over the country, anonymously interviewed individuals spontaneously participating in this campaign. Information on demography, cardiovascular risk factors prevalence, awareness of hypertension and of its consequences was obtained. The average of two conventional blood pressure (BP) measurements, taken in seated position after a few min rest by a validated oscillometric device (Microlife BP A150), was recorded. Results: Data were collected from 6356 individuals (53.2% females, 46.8% males) aged 57.8 years. (18–105 years). 43.6% of subjects were aware of being hypertensive, 89.9% being treated. In this cohort active and former smokers were respectively 19.2% and 22%; 28.6% reported hypercholesterolemia and 8.3% diabetes. Mean systolic BP > 139mmHg was found in 34.8% and mean diastolic BP > 89mmHg in 18.3% of the entire cohort and in 47.7% and 23.5% of aware hypertensive individuals, respectively. In 14.5% of participating subjects and in 19.6% of aware hypertensives both systolic/diastolic BP were found above 139/89mmHg respectively. On average, BP was higher in aware hypertensive individuals, in spite of being treated, than in the overall cohort (139.6/81.7 ± 19.7/14.5 vs 133.1/79.7 ± 20.3/15 mmHg, respectively, p < 0.005). Awareness of hypertension complications was imperfect, acute myocardial infarction, stroke and renal failure being recognized as consequences of hypertension by 85.1%, 61.6% and 28.6% of individuals, respectively. Conclusions: Our data, obtained in Italy at the time of the 2014 World Hypertension Day show a yet high hypertension prevalence, accompanied by an unsatisfactory awareness of its complications and by a frequent occurrence of other cardiovascular risk factors in participants in this initiative. Even considering that these individuals may not be fully representative of the general Italian population, our results strongly indicate that more efforts are still needed to improve hypertension control and to increase patients' awareness of the risks associated to this condition.