Epidemiologic study of arterial pressure in students
Málaga, S.; Santos, F.; Visus, E.P.; Miaja, J.; Coto, M.; Aranda, S.; Crespo, M.
Medicina Clinica 84(11): 428-432
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-7753 PMID: 3990404 Document Number: 255935
Blood pressure was measured in 6922 children (3715 boys and 3207 girls) aged 5-14 yr in Asturias, Spain. The children who participated in the survey were selected at random from the General Basic Schools representative of a cross-section population and represent urban and rural segments of the community. The blood pressure was measured in 118 different schools, in the left arm, after a 5 min resting period, with a standard mercury sphygmomanomether, Erkametker. Two cuff sizes were used (9 .times. 19 and 12 .times. 22 cm), depending on the arm size. Two blood pressure measurements were registered and the mean value was considered. Distribution of blood pressure values (in percentiles) and the relationship to age, sex, height, weight and body surface were studied. The values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased steadily with age, height (P < 0.0001). The multiple correlations study of blood pressure with age-height, age-weight and height-weight showed the following predictive order: height-weight in boys (P < 0.0001) and age-weight in girls (P < 0.0001).