This is one of the main conclusions of the study carried out by Biosistemak together with Biogipuzkoa and Osakidetza, which has followed the evolution of more than 25,000 people over a decade.
The Biosistemak Institute, together with researchers from Biogipuzkoa and Osakidetza, has carried out a study that determines that people under 45 years of age diagnosed with high blood pressure are more likely to suffer from cardiovascular diseases. This was announced by the Department of Health in a press release on the eve of World Hypertension Day, which is celebrated on 17 May.
This study, led by Amaia Bilbao González, a researcher at the OSI Bilbao-Basurto and part of Biosistemak, which ends in 2023, has measured the impact of new diagnoses of arterial hypertension on cardiovascular events and mortality, following more than 25,000 Basque citizens over a decade.
The main conclusions are that hypertension is associated with an increase in cardiovascular events, and this increase depends on the age at diagnosis of hypertension: patients younger than 45 years are at the highest risk, followed by patients aged 45-54 years, with patients aged 65-74 years having the lowest risk. However, no association has been observed between a new diagnosis of hypertension and all-cause mortality.
The research group conducting the study identified 12,600 patients, aged 18 years and older, who were first diagnosed with hypertension in 2010 and 2011, and who had no previous cardiovascular events. They were matched by age, sex and health centre with patients without a diagnosis of hypertension or previous cardiovascular events. In addition, variables such as socioeconomic status, diabetes, hypercholesterolaemia and smoking were taken into account. All patients were followed for 10 years to assess the occurrence of a cardiovascular event or death.
The results of this research support the adoption of preventive measures and follow-up of hypertensive patients, especially in age groups at higher risk, to avoid the occurrence of cardiovascular events.
MOST COMMON CHRONIC DISEASE
Arterial Hypertension (AHT) is the most frequent chronic disease, with an estimated prevalence in the population over 18 years of age of 21-37% for women and 34-50% for men in the Basque Country, with prevalence increasing with age. This disease is characterised by a continuous increase in blood pressure in the arteries. Clinically significant hypertension is considered to be a sustained systolic pressure above 140 mmHg or a sustained diastolic pressure above 90 mmHg.
Once a person has been diagnosed with hypertension, a personalised follow-up is carried out in primary care, mainly by nurses. In principle, a visit every six months and an annual blood test are sufficient for a person with well-controlled blood pressure and low cardiovascular risk. In case of high risk or poor control, consultations are more frequent.
In addition to professional monitoring, prevention is particularly important to combat high blood pressure and mitigate its effects. For this reason, the Basque Government’s Department of Health recommends avoiding smoking, controlling diet, reducing salt consumption, taking regular exercise, limiting alcohol consumption and reducing stress, as well as taking the medication prescribed by the doctor.
