Routine health check-ups identified individuals with high blood pressure, with 57.5% experiencing an improvement in high blood pressure at the subsequent check-up one year later.
Cohort (n=2,892)
No
Does blood pressure screening during routine annual health check-ups improve high blood pressure in adults?
Annual health check-ups effectively identify individuals with high blood pressure and facilitate improvements in BP control, with 57.5% showing improvement at one year.
Abstract Background Health check-ups are commonly conducted in Japan for the early detection and treatment of diseases, with blood pressure (BP) measurement being an essential component. However, evidence regarding the effectiveness of these screenings in improving hypertension in the general population remains limited. Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of BP screening during routine health check-ups by assessing the improvement in high BP at the subsequent check-up one year after detection. Methods This cohort study included individuals aged ≥18 years who underwent health check-ups at our institute between April 1, 2008, and March 31, 2023. The target population comprised individuals who were identified with high BP during a health check-up and who underwent a subsequent check-up the following year. High BP was defined as either BP ≥150/95 mmHg at a health check-up, or a combination of BP ≥140/90 mmHg at a health check-up and a home BP ≥140/90 mmHg. For individuals who presented with high BP at multiple check-ups, we used data from the first occurrence of high BP and the check-up the following year. The primary outcome was the proportion of individuals whose high BP improved at the subsequent check-up. We also collected data on age, sex, medical history, lifestyle habits, and physical and laboratory findings, and performed logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with high BP at the subsequent check-up. Results A total of 22,206 unique individuals underwent 110,807 cumulative check-ups. Of these, 2,892 individuals (mean ±SD age: 55.5 ± 9.0 years; 71.0% male) with high BP were included in the analysis. Their mean systolic and diastolic BP at the initial check-up were 151.9 ± 11.7 mmHg and 95.1 ± 8.4 mmHg, respectively, and 37.7% (1,090/2,892) were receiving antihypertensive medication. At the subsequent check-up, their BP distribution shifted to lower levels (Figure 1), with mean systolic and diastolic BP of 143.3 ± 9.0 mmHg and 90.0 ± 9.6 mmHg, respectively. In addition, 50.6% (1,464/2,892) were taking antihypertensive medication at the subsequent check-up. Overall, 57.5% (1,663 / 2,892; Figure 2) of individuals experienced an improvement in high BP at the subsequent check-up. Logistic regression analysis showed that male sex, antihypertensive medication use at the initial check-up, high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and weight gain were significantly associated with persistent high BP at the subsequent check-up. Conclusions These findings demonstrate that health check-ups effectively identify individuals with previously untreated or inadequately controlled high BP and can facilitate improvements in their management. Weight reduction and lipid management may further support BP control. Further research should focus on developing follow-up strategies to minimize persistent high BP, particularly among those who remain hypertensive despite receiving antihypertensive therapy.
Kameda et al. (Sat,) conducted a cohort in High blood pressure (n=2,892). Routine health check-up (blood pressure screening) was evaluated on Proportion of individuals whose high blood pressure improved at the subsequent check-up. Routine health check-ups identified individuals with high blood pressure, with 57.5% experiencing an improvement in high blood pressure at the subsequent check-up one year later.