Hypertension is the leading modifiable risk factor for morbidity and mortality worldwide.
Hypertension: the need for control and prevention
Hypertension
Hypertension is the leading modifiable risk factor for morbidity and mortality worldwide. Inadequate measurement or inaccurate blood pressure devices can lead to¹:
over- and underdiagnosis
unnecessary treatment
risks of preventable cardiovascular diseases
Since most patients do not have any symptoms, the most reliable method to determine hypertension is by (preventively) monitoring it.
ESH classification of hypertension
The measurement of blood pressure is used as basis for diagnosing and managing hypertension.
Blood pressure is a variable parameter, and the numbers used as threshold for diagnosis are arbitrary. An update of the guidelines and classification of hypertension was announced by the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) during the 2023 annual meeting in Milan, Italy. Read the guidelines.
In 2021 the ESH practice guidelines for office and out-of-office blood pressure measurement.
Consequences: the facts
77% of people who have a first stroke have hypertension³
Approximately 1 out of every 3 to 4 adults develop heart failure when systolic blood pressure is >160 mmHg⁴
69% of people who have a first heart attack have hypertension³
Hypertension is the second-leading cause of kidney failure³
Almost 1 out of 2 people with high blood pressure do not have their condition under control⁵
Home blood pressure monitoring
Patients with hypertension that monitor blood pressure at home and share results with their doctor achieve significantly better control of their blood pressure.
It furthermore:
• decreases in-person visits
• brings a sense of ownership to patients
• gives better clinical outcomes
Key Recommended Steps
Blood Pressure Monitoring
Differences among men and women
The prevalence of hypertension between men and women varies during the life course. At the age of late twenties, around 27% of men and 12% of women are hypertensive. A turning point comes later in life with more women being hypertensive due to menopause and hormonal changes.⁶
Furthermore, there is a difference in % rise in CVD per 10mmHg increase in systolic blood pressure with 15% in males and 25% in females.⁷
Accurate measurements
A correct cuff size is essential for accurate measurements.
OMRON Intelli Wrap Cuff measures accurately in any position of your upper arm. Suitable for use on arms with a circumference of 22-42 cm⁸
Clinical validation certifies the accuracy of blood pressure measurements by thorough testing. At OMRON we ensure all blood pressure monitors are clinically validated for accuracy
Stay connected
Patients with hypertension that monitor blood pressure at home and share results with their doctor achieve significantly better control of their blood pressure.⁹ OMRON connect is a free app that makes it easy for patients to record, view and wirelessly sync personal health data. Patients can set individual targets, such as blood pressure, weight, and track their progress over time.
Read moreNocturnal Hypertension
According to the ESC/ESH guidelines the threshold for nocturnal hypertension is ≥120/70 mmHg at night.² Nocturnal blood pressure is a better predictor of cardiovascular events and organ damage than daytime blood pressure in hypertensive patients.¹⁰ Dipping patterns and cardiovascular risks
Read moreEarly detection and treatment of AFib reduces the risk of stroke by 68%.
Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial Fibrillation can lead to: - Blood clots - Ischemic stroke - Heart failure - Premature death - Heart-related complications
Read moreReferences:
1. Stergiou, George S., et al. “2021 European Society of Hypertension practice guidelines for office and out-of-office blood pressure measurement.” Journal of Hypertension 39.7 (2021): 1293-1302
² 2018 ESC/ESH guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension. Eur. Heart J. 2018 Sep 1;39(33):3021-3104. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehy339
³ Mozaffarian, Dariush, et al. “Heart disease and stroke statistics—2015 update: a report from the American Heart Association.” Circulation 131.4 (2015): e29-e322.
⁴ Pfeffer, Marc A. “Heart failure and hypertension: importance of prevention.” Medical Clinics 101.1 (2017): 19-28.
⁵ Sources: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and American Heart Association
⁶ Everett, Bethany, and Anna Zajacova. “Gender differences in hypertension and hypertension awareness among young adults.” Biodemography and social biology 61.1 (2015): 1-17.
⁷ Wei YC, George NI, Chang CW, et al. Assessing sex differences in the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality per increment in systolic blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of follow-up studies in the United States. 2017;12:e0170218.
⁸ Bilo G. et al, Impact of cuff positioning on blood pressure measurement accuracy: may a specially designed cuff make a difference? DOI: 10.1038/hr.2016.184
⁹ Mantena, S. and Keshavjee, S. (2021). Strengthening healthcare delivery with remote patient monitoring in the time of COVID-19. BMJ Health & Care Informatics, 28(1), p.e100302. doi:10.1136/bmjhci-2020-100302.
¹⁰ Hansen TW, Li Y, Boggia J, Thijs L, Richart T, Staessen JA. Predictive role of the nighttime blood pressure. Hypertension. 2011;57(1):3-10