Observational study of hypertension and snoring in Northeastern Italy (Limana Hypertension Study)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate through an observational study on volunteers some important cardiovascular disease risk factors such as hypertension and snoring in a population from Limana, a town of a subalpine zone of northeastern Italy. DESIGN: Limana residents were informed by post and at a public meeting and then attended an outpatient clinic set up by the town of Limana for clinical history, measurement of blood pressure, weight and height. PATIENTS: Of 202 subjects (94 men and 108 women), 92.6% of whom were residents of Limana, having a mean age of 59.7 years, which was significantly higher than the mean (44.7 years), took part in the study. RESULTS: Only 32.3% of study subjects with hypertension had normal blood pressure values while 38.6% of the subjects without hypertension treatment, were hypertensive. We found no significant association between hypertension and smoking and there were significant associations between hypertension and age and hypertension and snoring. CONCLUSIONS: Given the limitations of an observational study based on volunteer participation, nevertheless, our study presents some interesting results: (1) a low number of subjects with hypertension whose blood pressure is well controlled; (2) a significant number of "normal" subjects with high values of blood pressure; (3) no significant relationship between hypertension and smoking; (4) a significant relationship between subjects who snored and were hypertensive.