Abstract

AbstractCommunity-wide blood pressure screening is one of many methods of detecting unknown or inadequately treated hypertension. The first mass blood pressure screening in a major metropolitan area was conducted in New Orleans on April 28 and 29, 1973. The 43 public and parochial schools were used as screening sites. Medical volunteers screened 30,329 individuals, 8,953 of whom were referred to their physician for treatment of high blood pressure. This project has shown that with adequate volunteers and publicity, mass screening is feasible and may be the only realistic method of reaching the numerous undetected hypertensives. An added bonus has been the spin-off in public awareness of the problem and its sequelae. A follow-up program for those individuals referred for further evaluation is strongly recommended. Guidelines and suggestions for mass screenings are described for use by medical groups or agencies. The blood pressure data are studied in relation to demographic data to facilitate comprehension of the problem on a larger scale.