IDENTIFYING HYPERTENSION IN TEENAGERS: DIFFERENCES BETWEEN EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN GUIDELINES

Abstract

Objective: Since the measurement of blood pressure is an element in the qualification of volunteers presenting for blood donation, there is an opportunity to identify, in these ostensibly healthy individuals, those who might be at heightened risk of hypertensive heart disease. Since the classification of blood pressure differs when using the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association and European Society of Cardiology/European Society of Hypertension guidelines, we took this opportunity to compare the prevalence of suspected hypertension in teenagers as differently identified by the two systems. Design and method: Participants in the study were American volunteer blood donors, age 16 to 19, who donated between the years 2015 and 2021 at an independent, community blood program serving some 200 hospitals. There were 87,051 females and 59,498 males. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures were measured using automated equipment (Welch Allyn, ProBP). The cut points chosen for hypertension were, by ACC/AHA criteria, > = 130 (SBP) or > = 80 mmHg (DBP). The ESC/ESH criteria for hypertension were > = 140 (SBP) and/or > = 90 mmHg (DBP). Results: The table shows percentages of male and female teenagers considered hypertensive by American and European guidelines. Conclusions: There are significant differences between the American and European guidelines in the diagnosis of hypertension in teenagers, with a higher prevalence by American guidelines. The risk for hypertension is higher in males than females by both guidelines.