Back to blood pressure news index

High blood pressure an issue in Europe

Results from the European study IMMIDIET, show that high blood pressure, a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease, is a looming problem in Europe.

The research showed that many Europeans did not know they were hypertensive and of those who has been diagnosed with high blood pressure, less than half had their blood pressure levels controlled.

The European study

The IMMIDIET study tracked 1,604 people from three areas: south-west London in England, Limburg in Belgium and Abruzzo in Italy. All participants had a thorough medical exam, including blood pressure levels, and lifestyle factors.

Overall, 24% of the population were hypertensive.

Researchers comments

Researchers reported that "All National healthcare systems should do more to help control hypertension. Although in England the management of high blood pressure is better as compared to some other countries, in part due to the incentives that General Practitioners receive to achieve blood pressure targets, we still have too many patients not adequately treated and the incidence of hypertension is rising still.

Back to blood pressure news index