Key result
Automated BP surveillance identifies hypertension in ~35% of adult men and 22% of women.
Why the study?
The WHO recommends a 25% relative reduction in the prevalence of raised blood pressure by 2030 and suggests monitoring targets through periodic Health Examination Surveys.
Cross-Sectional (n=3,686)
Yes
Preliminary 2023-2025 Italian Health Examination Survey data demonstrate that raised blood pressure remains highly prevalent in Italian adults (35% of men, 22% of women) with substantial rates of unawareness and suboptimal control, underscoring the need for ongoing population surveillance.
Background The WHO recommends a 25% relative reduction in the prevalence of raised blood pressure (RBP) by 2030 (baseline 2010) and suggests monitoring targets by periodic Health Examination Surveys (HESs). In Italy, a new HES started in 2023, promoted and financed by the Ministry of Health – CCM and the European Commission through JACARDI. Methods In the period 2023-2025, BP was measured by automated oscillometric device using standardized procedures and methods, in random samples of residents in 18 Regions (out of 20 regions) distributed in North, Centre and South of Italy (up to now, 1834 men, 1852 women aged 35-74 years). RBP was defined as systolic BP ≥ 140 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mm Hg. Data were standardised using the European standard age-sex distribution. Results Mean value of systolic BP was 134 mmHg (95% confidence interval: 133-136 mmHg) in men and 125 mmHg (124-127 mmHg) in women. Mean value of diastolic BP was 79 mmHg (78-80 mmHg) in men and 75 mmHg (74-76 mmHg) in women. Prevalence of RBP was 35% (31-40%) in men and 22% (18-25%) in women. Among those with RBP the following were unaware/aware but not in treatment: men - 72/17% aged 35-44 years, 60/20% 45-54 years, 43/11% 55-64 years, 37/10% 65-74 years; women - 53/41%, 49/23%, 46/16%, 41/11%. Among those with RBP and/or in treatment (47% of men and 34% of women), 22% of men and 34% women were under treatment and at target, 23% and 18% were under treatment but not at target, respectively. Conclusions Considering 2023-2025 preliminary data, significant reductions in RBP prevalence occurred compared to HES data from 25 years ago and 15 years ago, while an increasing trend was found in comparison to 5 years ago. RBP is still high in the Italian adult population, and improvements on RBP awareness and control are still necessary. Prevalence of unaware persons with RBP supports the WHO recommendation to monitor targets by periodic survey based on measured data - HESs. Key messages • Raised blood pressure is still high in the Italian general adult population. • Raised blood pressure awareness and control need improvements and support the WHO recommendation to monitor targets by periodic health examination surveys.
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Marcozzi et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Raised blood pressure (n=3,686). Blood pressure surveillance via automated oscillometric measurement was evaluated on Prevalence of raised blood pressure (systolic BP >= 140 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP >= 90 mm Hg). Automated oscillometric BP surveillance in Italian adults aged 35-74 years revealed a raised blood pressure prevalence of 35% (95% CI 31-40%) in men and 22% (95% CI 18-25%) in women.
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