Prehypertension and undiagnosed hypertension in a sample of dental school female patients

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to assess prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension in a sample of female dental patients. METHODS: A total of 208 consecutive female patients aged ≥ 18 years provided information about sociodemographics, history of hypertension and other systemic diseases, antihypertension medication use and smoking history. Two blood pressure measurements were taken by a dentist and the average measurement was utilized in the present analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of the study sample was 38 (±13) years. Thirty-seven per cent of the sample had prehypertension (ranging between 120/80 and 139/89 mmHg). High blood pressure (HBP) measurement (≥140/90 mmHg) was recorded on 18% of the study population. Of those, 66% were unaware of their HBP prior to their dental visit (represent 12% of the study sample). The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure of those with elevated blood pressure were 154 (±16) and 94 (±12), respectively. Furthermore, 26% of those 30 years of age or older had HBP measurements. History of hypertension was reported by 13% of the study sample. Of those, 48% had HBP measurement. The use of antihypertension medications was reported by 10%. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension and prehypertension in the present sample. These results underscore the importance of routine blood pressure measurements in the dental clinics.