INFLUENCE OF HOME BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORING AND EDUCATIONAL INTERVENTIONS ON HYPERTENSION CONTROL IN SLOVAKIA: INSIGHTS FROM PROJECT CHARTER 70/2023

Objective: The 2018 ESC/ESH guidelines emphasize the critical importance of accurate blood pressure (BP) measurement, patient education, and consistent follow-up in managing hypertension (H). Proper BP measurement techniques are essential to avoid misdiagnosis and ensure effective treatment. This study investigates the impact of accurate BP measurement, patient education, and structured follow-up on the control of H. The aim was to evaluate the influence of the educational intervention on daily practice - Charter 70/2023 in management H in primary care. Design and method: This project was conducted from April to June 2023 at 103 general physicians’ offices (GPO) in Slovakia. Results: We enrolled 3191 patients with H (52,5% women, mean age n 61,5 ± 8,2 years). Patients underwent an initial visit (V1) in GPO, where they received education on improving BP measurement accuracy. Each patient then provided 7 days of home BP monitoring. This was followed by a second visit (V2) in the GPO. At V1 the average BP was 139,5±14,8 / 83,14 ±8,9 mm Hg, HR 72,99 ±9,1 bpm. HBPM showed average BP 133,4 ± 10,8 / 80,1±7,3 mm Hg, HR 71,6 ±7,9 bpm. There was a reduction of BP between Day 1 and Day 7, by -3,2/-1,5 mm Hg, and pulse by -0,4 bpm, (p<0,001). At V2 the average BP was 134,0±12,6 / 80,2 ±6,1 mm Hg, HR 72,2 ±7,4 bpm. There was a difference between the average BP at V1 and V2, the reduction of was SBP -5,5 mm Hg, DBP -3,0 mm Hg, HR -0,8 bpm, (p<0,001). BP < 140/90 mm Hg reached on V1 56% of patients, in V2 74,2% of patients. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate a significant increase (+22%) in patients achieving a BP < 140/90 mm Hg after being properly measured, educated, and followed up. This underscores the critical importance of accurate BP measurement, patient education, and consistent follow-up in effectively managing hypertension.