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Work-site hypertension prevalence and control in three Central European Countries

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 18, pages 581–585 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

Compared to Austria, cerebrovascular stroke (CVS) mortality is three times higher in Hungary, and twice as high in Slovakia. We hypothesized that this is due to better treatment and control of hypertension in Austria. To test this hypothesis, we carried out a cross-sectional survey of ‘blue collar’ employees on work sites in each of these countries. Blood pressure screening was carried out at three work sites in Austria, one in Hungary and one in Slovakia. A standardized protocol was followed in each of these countries. The Bp-TRUTM measuring instrument was used to provide accurate reproducible readings and eliminate interobserver error. After the exclusion of missing data and women, the study population included 323 males screened in Austria, 600 in Hungary, and 751 in Slovakia. The mean ages of the respondents ranged from 35 to 42 years. The prevalence of hypertension was 29% in Austria, 28% in Hungary and 40% in Slovakia. Of those identified as hypertensive, 73% in Austria, 45% in Hungary and 67% in Slovakia were newly diagnosed as a result of this screening. Of those treated for hypertension, 10% in Austria, 15% in Hungary and 5% in Slovakia were controlled. The differences in CVS mortality cannot be explained by better control of hypertension in Austria but indicate the involvement of other determinants.

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Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge the significant support we have received from Dr A Dukat, Bratislava, Slovakia; Dr T Dorner, Wien, Austria; Dr G Lencse, Szeged, Hungary and Dr M Caprnda, Bratislava, Slovakia. This project was supported by CIDA Canada, the Austrian Red Cross Society, and the City of Wien Healthy Heart Program. The Bp-TRUâ„¢ instruments to all participating sites were donated by Dr Mark Gelfer, Medical Director VSM Corporation, Vancouver, Canada.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Heart Check, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

    J G Fodor, H Stokes, T Emmons & P Turton

  2. Second Medical Clinic, Bratislava, Slovakia

    J Lietava

  3. Institute for Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    A Rieder

  4. Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Albert Szent-Gyorgyi Medical University, Szeged, Hungary

    S Sonkodi

Authors
  1. J G Fodor
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  2. J Lietava
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  3. A Rieder
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  4. S Sonkodi
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  5. H Stokes
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  6. T Emmons
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  7. P Turton
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to J G Fodor.

Appendix A

Appendix A

CLINICAL CHART

Austria–Hungary–Slovakia International Blood Pressure Study See Table A1

Table 6 Table a1
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Fodor, J., Lietava, J., Rieder, A. et al. Work-site hypertension prevalence and control in three Central European Countries. J Hum Hypertens 18, 581–585 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1001685

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