Cardiology Letters 2024, 33(1):33-47

Efficiency evaluation of the management of patients with arterial hypertension - Results of Home Blood Pressure Monitoring 2022 in Slovakia

Anna Vachulová¹, Adriana Šimková², Slavomíra Filipová³

¹ Kardiologická klinika LF UK a NÚSCH, a. s. Bratislava

² Duo medical s.r.o., Pezinok

³ NÚSCH, a. s. Bratislava, Slovenská republika

Home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) can improve the control of arterial hypertension by active engagement of hypertensive patients in the management of their disease. The aim of Home Blood Pressure Monitoring of diagnosed and treated patients with arterial hypertension in 2022 was to collect and compare data on blood pressure and heart rate measured at home, with office measurements, and assess the management of arterial hypertension in Slovakia. Population and methods: The screening took place from April 2022 to June 2022. Overall, 4035 patients with arterial hypertension from 136 general practitioners were involved. All patients measured their blood pressure and heart rate at home twice a day, 2 measurements in the morning and 2 measurements in the evening, for 3-7 days. These were all followed up by 3 measurements of BP and heart rate in a GP office, as recommended by 2018 ESC/ESH guidelines.

Results: BP values at HBPM decreased over the period of seven days by -2.2/-1.4 mm Hg (p < 0.01). Therefore, the number of patients who achieved optimal BP ≤135/85 mm Hg after 7 days of measurement, without other interventions, increased by 8%. The first treatment goal, office BP ≤ 140/90 mm Hg, was achieved by 67% of patients. The second treatment goal, based on patients´ age, was achieved by 35% of patients. Patients with cardiovascular comorbidities had worse BP control than patients with uncomplicated arterial hypertension.

Conclusions: The results of office and home BPM 2022 demonstrated that even a small change in the management of AH patients (proper education, engagement/empowerment, follow-up) can have a significant impact. The Charter 70/2023 will become imminent with the achievement of the first blood pressure target in 67% of AH patients.

Keywords: arterial hypertension; home blood pressure monitoring; Charter 70, 2023; single pill combination; polypill; systematic rationalization of pharmacotherapy

Published: January 1, 2024  Show citation