Abstract P556: Blood Pressure in the Italian Adult Population: Preliminary Results of the 2018-2019 Cuore Project-Health Examination Survey

Abstract

Introduction: Hypertension is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, chronic kidney disease, ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke. The WHO Global Action Plan for the Prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) target by 2025 for hypertension is a 25% relative reduction in the prevalence of raised blood pressure. Hypothesis: Prevalence of raised blood pressure in adults has declined in high-income countries over the past few decades; the CUORE project surveys have shown this trend also in Italy from the 1980s to the 2010s. This preliminary analysis aims to assess mean level of blood pressure and prevalence of raised blood pressure in the Italian general adult population using the data collected within the CUORE Project-health examination survey. Methods: Within the ongoing survey, started in 2018, mean of blood pressure and prevalence of raised blood pressure are assessed in random samples of resident population, aged 35-74 years, stratified by age and sex (men 822 and women 869), from 8 Italian Regions from the Northern, Central and Southern Italy. Blood pressure is measured three times consecutively by automated oscillometric device using standardized procedures and methods. Mean level of first two measurements are here considered. Raised blood pressure is defined as systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure equal or greater than 140/90 mmHg or under specific drug treatment. The survey is funded by the Italian Ministry of Health-CCM. Results: Preliminary analysis shows a mean value of systolic blood pressure of 131 mmHg (95% C.I.130-132) in men and 122 mmHg (121-123) in women. Mean value of diastolic blood pressure is 77 mmHg (76-78) in men and 73 mmHg (72-74) in women. Prevalence of raised blood pressure is 43.3% (39.9-46.7) in men and 32.4% (29.2-35.5) in women. In men prevalence of persons with raised blood pressure and untreated is 18.5% (14.6-22.3) and 8.6% (5.4-11.7) in women. In men and women prevalence of raised blood pressure is significantly higher in the Southern regions. Conclusions: Preliminary data of first 8 Regions (out of 10 which should be examined) underline that raised blood pressure is widely present in the Italian adult population. In comparison to data measured within the CUORE Project 10 years earlier, a decrease of mean level of blood pressure and prevalence of raised blood pressure seems to occur facilitating the meeting of WHO-NCDs target.