NZers blood pressure still too high says Stroke Foundation 6 September 2011

Almost half of New Zealanders tested on Blood Pressure Awareness Day showed high blood pressure readings, revealed the Stroke Foundation today. The figures show there has been no improvement in blood pressure health since the last awareness day in September 2009.

Fraser Pettigrew, Communications Manager at the Stroke Foundation said: “It’s timely that during Stroke Awareness Week we can remind everyone that the risk from high blood pressure is more widespread than people might think.  The general perception is that one in five people have high blood pressure but our results from two successive awareness days indicate that it could be more than double that.”

Around 14,000 people took advantage of free blood pressure tests provided by St John volunteers mainly at New World and Pak’n’Save supermarkets on 14 and 21 May this year. Among participants 46% had raised blood pressure readings: systolic readings of 140 mm Hg or above, diastolic readings of 90 or above, or both.

It was also a concern that there had been a fall in the number of people who had had a blood pressure test within the last 12 months (from 51% to 45%), and in those who could recall what their reading was (from 19% to 13%).

“Getting your blood pressure tested is one of the easiest things you can do to check on your health, and yet it seems as though fewer people are doing it,” added Fraser Pettigrew. “The message should be loud and clear: the next time you see your doctor - for whatever reason – get your blood pressure tested.”

Around a third of the nearly 8000 strokes which occur in New Zealand every year can be attributed to high blood pressure. People will not necessarily notice symptoms of high blood pressure which is why regular checking is recommended. High blood pressure can be treated by lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, smoking cessation, alcohol reduction) or medication where necessary.

Stroke Awareness Week runs from 5-11 September 2011.

Notes:

Conducting of tests

The tests were performed by St John and assisted by Rotary volunteers on Saturday 14 May and Saturday 21 May (lower South Island).

Number of participants

Around 14,000 people visited the sites and had a free blood pressure check. Usable data for analysis and evaluation was collected from over 10,500 participants.

The average number of participants per site was 113.

Site details

120 sites participated in the campaign. The 98 sites that provided usable data comprised:
•    62 New Worlds
•    26 Pak N Saves
•    5 hospitals
•    1 Four Square store
•    1 medical centre
•    3 unspecified sites

New World supermarkets checked the most participants (62.1% of participants) followed by Pack’N’Save (30% of participants). Hospitals checked most of the remainder (4.6% of participants).

Gender

60% of participants were female; 39% were male. Gender was not recorded in a small number of cases.

Blood pressure readings

•    4876 (46.3%) people had either systolic readings of 140 mm Hg or above, diastolic readings of 90 or above, or both
•    2773 people (26.34%) had systolic readings of 140 mm Hg or higher (elevated range)
•    178 people (1.69%) had systolic readings of 180 mm Hg or higher (severe hypertension range)

Highest 5 readings:            Lowest 5 readings:
•    245 / 90            70 / 40
•    230 / 135            70 / 50
•    230 / 110            74 / 54
•    220 / 116            80 / 45
•    220 / 110            80 / 47

Referrals to a GP or nurse

1,472 people - almost 14% of those checked - were referred to a GP or nurse as a result of a high blood pressure reading (1647 or 15.6% in Sept 2009).

70 people said they were already under GP supervision for hypertension and/or on medication.

Previous blood pressure checks

•    45.2 % of participants said they had a blood pressure check in the last 12 months (51% in Sept 2009)
•    20.7% said they had a blood pressure check more than 12 months ago
•    32.3% did not know when they last had a blood pressure check

•    1.8% had never had a blood pressure check.

Recall of last blood pressure reading

86.7% of those who had previous blood pressure checks could not recall their last reading (c.80% in Sept 2009).

Ages of participants

Participants’ ages ranged from under 35 to over 65. The largest group of participants were in the 50 – 65 year age range.

Ethnic participation

Participation by ethnicity was as follows:
•    European        79.5%
•    Maori            7.9%
•    Pasifika        3.8%
•    Asian            4.0%
•    Indian            3.4%
•    Other            1.4