World Hypertension Day 2023 – The Pro-Health Campaign in Bialystok, Poland

Objective: The study was based on a pro-health campaign of World Hypertension Day 2023. The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidental blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), glycemia and electrocardiography (EKG) among residents of Bialystok, Poland and the surrounding region. Design and method: 192 random participants were included (53.3% female). Each person completed a survey consisting of weight, height, age, education status, place of residence, smoking, physical activity, diagnosed cardiovascular disease and diabetes. BP, HR, glycemia and ECG were assessed by the medical team. Data were analyzed by dividing by sex, age above 65 years or below, BP above 140/90 mmHg, body mass index (BMI) above 30, glycemia above 120 mg/dl and comorbidities. Results: Average systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 135.7 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure (DBP): 79.9 mmHg, HR: 76/min, glycemia: 99.3 mg/dl, BMI: 26.7. 85% of participants resided city. 30% were higher educated. 33.3% performed no physical activity. Men had significantly higher SBP and DBP than women. Participants with BP above 140/90 mmHg presented significantly elevated BMI and HR. 63% of them were diagnosed with hypertension, and ECG abnormalities were 1.6 times more common here. In the age above 65years vs. lower then 65 years group, SBP was not significantly different while DBP was lower (77.5 vs 83.1 mmHg, p-0.002). Diabetics had higher BMI and SBP compared to non-diabetics. Participants diagnosed with hypertension had higher BMI, SBP and DBP. BMI above 30 was not associated with higher BP or HR. No significant differences in BP and HR were found between smokers vs nonsmokers, physically active vs non-active, or according to place of residence. The awareness of prevention of hypertension was not satisfactory in all studied group. Conclusions: BP values of Bialystok's, Poland female residences were in satisfactory ranges while male had it in-creased, specially SBP. BP above 140/90 mmHg was related to higher BMI and HR as well as to abnormalities in ECG. Surprisingly, persons with diagnosed hypertension or diabetes had worse BP values. There is a sustained need to increase a general awareness of hypertension prevention and a healthy lifestyle.