World Hypertension Day: A Window Into Health Status in Bialystok, Poland- Results From the Pro-Health Campaign 2025

Objective: The study was based on a pro-health campaign of World Hypertension Day 2023, 2024, and 2025. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of hypertension and its relationship with demographic, lifestyle, and clinical factors among the residents of Bialystok, Poland and the surrounding region. Design and method: During the three-year period (2023-2025), 886 volunteer participants were examined. Data were obtained through physical measurements of blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), glycemia, echocardiograms and a survey composed of questions regarding age, gender, level of education, place of residence, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and the presence of cardiovascular disease or diabetes. Participants were divided into categories by age (>=65 or <65), blood pressure (>=130/80 or <130/80 mmHg), gender, and body mass index (BMI) (>=25 or <25). The data were statistically analyzed. Results: Mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 138 mmHg and diastolic (DBP) 78 mmHg; HR 77/min, glycemia 103.68 mg/dl, BMI 26.69 kg/m2. Of all respondents, 34.74% were higher educated, 88.78% declared living in urban areas, and 44.15% had previously been diagnosed with hypertension. Regular physical activity (>=3 times/week) was declared by 33.87%, while 24.29% reported inactivity. Among respondents aged >=65, SBP was higher (142.1 vs. 133.4 mmHg, p<0.05) and DBP was lower (77.2 vs. 80.1 mmHg, p<0.05) than in the < 65 age group. Men had significantly higher SBP (141.22 vs. 136.16 mmHg, p<0.05) and DBP (82.14 vs. 76.37 mmHg, p<0.05) values than women. People with BMI >=25 kg/m2 had a higher prevalence of hypertension (52.89% vs. 29.69%) and diabetes mellitus (14.97% vs. 6.09%) compared to people with BMI <25. Among participants with hypertension 21.28% suffered from diabetes compared to 4.39% of people without hypertension. Conclusions: The results indicate that older people (>=65), who are overweight, and have elevated blood pressure (>=130/80 mmHg), have a poorer cardiometabolic profile – higher BP, glycemia, BMI, and more frequent cases of hypertension and diabetes. In the study population, the highest risk of cardiovascular disease is among older people, overweight individuals and men, while physical activity promotes a better health profile.