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High-normal blood pressure and related cardiovascular risk factors prevalence in the Romanian adult population: insights from the SEPHAR III study

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 35, pages 884–895 (2021)Cite this article

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Abstract

High normal blood pressure (HNBP) is associated with an increased risk of incident high blood pressure (HBP) and of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). To estimate the prevalence of HNBP and related cardiovascular risk factors, a representative sample of 1970 Romanian adults was enrolled in SEPHAR III survey (Study for the Evaluation of Prevalence of Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risk in Romania). All were evaluated for blood pressure values and by a 71-item questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, together with extensive evaluation for target organ damage, blood, and urine sample collection. Prevalence of HNBP was 11% [45.1% had HBP, 43.9% normal BP (NBP)]. HNBP individuals were older (51.14 ± 17.13 years) than subjects with NBP (40.5 ± 15.96 years) but younger than those with HBP (55.79 ± 15.68 years), p < 0.0001 (95% CI 18–85, respectively 18–91). Values of weight, waist circumference, body mass index, total and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), uric acid, serum creatinine, glomerular filtration rate estimate by CKD-EPI equation, urinary albumin to creatinine ratio, intimae–media thickness, arterial stiffness measurements and diastolic dysfunction, indexed left ventricular mass, interventricular septum and posterior left ventricle wall thickness, left atrial volume, and LA dilatation were significantly higher in HNBP subjects than in NBP. Our study showed that individuals with HNBP represent ~11% and most of them had an elevated total cardiovascular risk. It is essential to educate the public and health care providers to be aware of these individuals and of steps that should be taken to treat modifiable cardiovascular risk factors.

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Fig. 1: Evolution of NBP, HNBP, and HBP accounted for all participants by age and gender.

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Acknowledgements

All authors have equal contribution to this paper.

Funding

Sephar III survey and this study were realized with financial support from the Romanian Society of Hypertension.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Emergency Clinical County Hospital of Baia Mare, Baia Mare, Romania

    Călin Pop, Lavinia Pop, Adriana Iosip & Viorel Manea

  2. Faculty of Medicine Arad, “Vasile Goldis” University, Arad, Romania

    Călin Pop & Coralia Cotoraci

  3. University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, Bucharest, Romania

    Oana Florentina Gheorghe Fronea & Maria Dorobantu

  4. Cardiology Department, Clinical Emergency Hospital Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania

    Oana Florentina Gheorghe Fronea & Maria Dorobantu

  5. Monza Hospital, Bucharest, Romania

    Lucian Dorobantu

  6. Department of Diabetes and Nutrition, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”, Cluj, Romania

    Cornelia Bala

  7. Department of Cardiology—Rehabilitation, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”, Cluj, Romania

    Dana Pop

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  1. Călin Pop
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Correspondence to Oana Florentina Gheorghe Fronea.

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Pop, C., Fronea, O.F.G., Pop, L. et al. High-normal blood pressure and related cardiovascular risk factors prevalence in the Romanian adult population: insights from the SEPHAR III study. J Hum Hypertens 35, 884–895 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41371-020-00417-z

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