The prevalence of home blood pressure monitoring among hypertensive females and males - Polish Hypertension Survey

The results of many studies have shown that the degree of target organ damage is better correlated to HBPM, than it is to office blood pressure. Furthermore the use of HBPM is associated with a better compliance to treatment and with a better blood pressure control. Little is known on the prevalence of HBPM in the population at large. Therefore this study aimed at determining the prevalence of HBPM among hypertensives in a large cohort of 310.579 subjects participating in the Polish Hypertension Survey. We studied 142.381 hypertensive subjects (72936 females and 69445 males; mean age 49.4±6.2 years, mean BMI 26.5±4.2 kg/m2). Data on HBPM were assessed by questionnaire. HT was defined as SBP>140 mmHg and/or DBP>90 mmHg, or taking antihypertensive treatment. Among hypertensives, 33% males and 19.7% females did not measure their blood pressure during past year. 45.5% males and 55.7% females have their blood pressure measured at the office and only 21.5% males and 24.7% females performed HBPM during past year. The percentage of office and home blood pressure measurements during past year among hypertensives according to age is shown in the table below. F/M - females/males; denotes P<0.001 F/M - females/males; denotes P<0.001 We conclude that the prevalence of HBPM among hypertensives is increasing with age, but in all age groups is dramatically low, especially in males, thus physicians should more recommend HBPM because it might improve medication compliance and overcome some limitations of office blood pressure measurement, e.g. white coat effect.