Analysis of mass hypertension screening

Abstract

Mass screening for high blood pressure is one means of identifying a significant portion of the hypertensive population. In one weekend 30,329 adults were screened and 35% (8,875 of 25,284 with complete data) were referred for high blood pressure. Although this was a self-selected population, these results are similar to other studies of Southern populations. Racial differences were notable in that 36.7% of blacks were referred as compared to 30.5% for whites, with blacks having a higher rate for both systolic and diastolic hypertension. Males had a higher percentage of high blood pressure than females at every level of diastolic hypertension. Of those 49.8% having a prior history of hypertension, 70% were already on therapy, but only 36% of this group had blood pressures within the normal adult range, leaving 8,875 individuals (87%) who were either unaware, untreated or had persistent elevation of blood pressure in spite of therapy. A follow-up program is in progress, and at least 30% have gone to their own physician or clinic for secondary screening. Mass screening is a feasible and relatively inexpensive method for detection of hypertensives, but should only be one aspect of a large-scale coordinated community hypertension control program. In addition, public interest generated from mass screenings is a positive factor in increasing the health awareness of cardiovascular disease and its associated mortality.