Epidemiology of arterial hypertension and salt intake in Croatia (EH-UH 2) – The Croatian Science Foundation (IP-06-2016)

Arterial hypertension (AH) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the world, as well as in Croatia. According to the data from EH-UH 1 which was terminated 15 years ago, the prevalence of AH was 37%, with very poor control of treatment - about 20%. One of the main reasons for the high prevalence and poor control is excessive salt intake, which in Croatia exceeds 11 grams a day. The data were key element for the Strategic Plan of the Government of the Republic of Croatia to reduce the salt intake. The aims of the project are: 1) on the basis of the archived data from the previously conducted research (EH-UH1), call all the participants for a control check-up, monitor the clinical course of the disease and its outcome depending on the input indicators; 2) in the same way as in the EH-UH1, randomize a new sample of the Croatian general population in EH-UH2, use the same questionnaire and method of examination, measurement of blood pressure (BP) and determination of associated risk factors, and determine prevalence, awareness, treatment and hypertension control as well as dynamics of hypertension in Croatia; 3) in both groups of participants (post-EH-UH1 and EH-UH 2) determine the salt intake by measuring 24-hour urine sodium; 4) determine the amount of iodine in the same urine samples with the aim of determining the harmlessness of reduction of the salt intake. The results will enable the identification of the most important factors for the development of AH and their association with clinical outcomes.

Key words:
arterial hypertension; arterial pressure; cardiovascular risk; control; prevention; treatment