Automedida de la presión arterial. Documento de Consenso Español 2007

[Blood pressure values in adolescents in the Community of Madrid: Tables based on the MEPAFAC Study]

INTRODUCTION

High blood pressure (HBP) is a modifiable cardiovascular risk factor and its detection at early ages may allow strategies to be designed to reduce cardiovascular risk in adulthood.

OBJECTIVES

To provide blood pressure (BP) values in a sample of adolescents using an electronic oscillometric device.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

BP was measured according the European Society of Hypertension guidelines using an oscillometric device. Height and weight were also measured. Four height groups were used in order to associate the 90, 95, and 99 percentiles with systolic BP (pSBP) and diastolic BP percentiles (pDBP) for sex and age: H150 (≤ 150cm), H160(151-160cm), H170(161-170cm), and H180(≥171cm).

RESULTS

Data from 2,758 students aged 12-17 years were included in the analysis. BP increases with age, with differences of up to 11mmHg in boys vs. 3mmHg in girls for SBP and 3mmHg vs. 1mmHg for DBP. In high SBP, for the younger adolescents, the difference related to height was 15mmHg in boys vs. 8mmHg in girls, with no significant increase in the older ones in either gender. The high BDP varied depending on the height, 10mmHg in younger boys and 3mmHg in older ones, while in girls the variation was 3mmHg for all ages.

CONCLUSIONS

SBP/DBP in adolescents increases with age and also with height, giving similar figures in the taller ones, regardless of age.

Cardiovascular risk factors in scholars (RIVACANGAS)

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The current guidelines for treatment of high blood pressure do not include any section dedicated to hypertension in children and adolescents or to cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention strategies in that age group. Our study was aimed at identifying cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) in an adolescent sample.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study of a sample of adolescents aged 12 to 17years (n=630), conducted from October 2014 to February 2015 in four schools in Cangas do Morrazo (Pontevedra). Sociodemographic variables: age, sex, personal and family history of hypertension and diabetes (DM). Anthropometric variables: body mass index (BMI, kg/m²), waist circumference (WC, cm), waist/height index (WHI), blood pressure (mmHg).

RESULTS

The study sample consisted of 295 female and 335 male adolescents (mean age: 13.8±1.4). CVR-related conditions: hypercholesterolemia (7.1%), CVD (1.7%), hypertension (0.8%) and diabetes (0.3%). BMI (22.0±3,8) was higher in males (22.4±3.8 vs. 21.0±3.2; P<.01). Overweight was greater in females (27.6% vs. 19.7%; P<.05). Seven percent of subjects were obese, 63.8% had systolic BP >P90 and 23.7% had diastolic BP >P90. Waist circumference positively correlated with age (r=0.1669; P<.0001) and was greater in males (75.4±10.9 vs. 72.9±8.9; P<0.01); 27.1% of adolescents had a waist circumference >P75, and 7.5% >P90. Eighty-four (13.3%) adolescents had two CVRFs (overweight+another).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite their young age, more than 10% of school children had two CVRFs. Abnormal SBP levels were seen in more than 50%, 20% were overweight, and only 75% had normal waist circumference values.