Blood Pressure Awareness in Austria: Lessons From a 30 Years Horizon

• Published in: American journal of hypertension 2011-04, Vol.24 (4), p.408-414
• Main Authors: Steiner, Sabine, Dorner, Thomas E., Fodor, J. George, Kunze, Michael, Rieder, Anita
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Arterial hypertension. Arterial hypotension; Austria; Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Blood Pressure; Blood Pressure Determination; Cardiology. Vascular system; Clinical manifestations. Epidemiology. Investigative techniques. Etiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Hypertension - complications; Hypertension - diagnosis; Hypertension - prevention & control; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Myocardial Infarction - etiology; Risk Factors; Stroke - etiology
• ISSN: 0895-7061; 1879-1905; 1941-7225
• DOI: 10.1038/ajh.2010.257

Background Blood pressure (BP) awareness is a main focus of public health efforts. I n Austria, an increase of knowledge and perception regarding hypertension was seen after a nationwide educational campaign in 1978, but subsequent surveys documented only short-term impact. We report results of the latest survey in 2009 in comparison to 1978 and 1998. Methods Balanced for Austrian demographic characteristics 1,005 men and women older than 15 years of age were randomly selected for face-to-face interviews about BP awareness, risk factors, and hazards of hypertension and treatment options including life-style interventions. Results Overall, 15% identified themselves as hypertensive, which is similar to results from 1978 (14%) but significantly higher than 1998 (12%; P < 0.01). The proportion of hypertensives not undertaking any measure (i.e., pharmacotherapy or life-style changes) significantly decreased since 1998 (5% vs. 10%; P < 0.0001).Thirty-three percent recalled to have measured their BP within the last 3 months, which is comparable to 1998 (34%) but lower than in 1978 (49%) after the nationwide educational BP campaign(P < 0.0001). Alarmingly, an unchanged proportion of 8% reported no BP measurement ever (1978 and 1998: 8%, respectively). Sixty-one percent believed they would be able to clearly identify symptoms of hypertension, while only 19% knew that hypertension might not be noticeable. Heart attack and stroke were considered the most common sequelae of hypertension. Conclusion Despite a high understanding of the risks of hypertension among the Austrian population, a widespread misconception regarding BP symptoms and infrequent personal checks are worrisome and might also be valid in other Western countries. American Journal of Hypertension advance online publication 3 February 2011; doi:10.1038/ajh.2010.257