Objective:

To analyze blood pressure measurements from self-service kiosks in U.S. retail stores and compare prevalence rates of high blood pressure with traditional national health surveys.

Approach:

• Study Design: Cross-sectional analysis of blood pressure measurements from Pursuant Health kiosks in Walmart and CVS stores across 49 states and the District of Columbia from November 2017 to September 2024.
• Population: Data from nearly 1.3 million adults aged 18 to 99 years were evaluated.
• Definitions: High blood pressure was defined as self-reported hypertension diagnosis or measured systolic BP of 140 mm Hg or higher, or diastolic BP of 90 mm Hg or higher.

Key Findings:

• 50.0% prevalence of high blood pressure from 2017 to 2018 (95% CI, 49.7%-50.2%) and 47.6% from 2023 to 2024 (95% CI, 47.4%-47.8%).
• Highest prevalence among non-Hispanic Black adults (55.6% in 2023 to 2024; 95% CI, 55.1%-56.0%).
• Higher prevalence in adults aged 65 years or older (71.9% in 2017 to 2018; 95% CI, 71.3%-72.6%) and those in rural areas (51.2% in 2017 to 2018; 95% CI, 50.6%-51.8%).
• 32.1% of diagnosed patients had controlled blood pressure in 2017 to 2018 (95% CI, 31.7%-32.5%), decreasing to 28.1% in 2023 to 2024 (95% CI, 27.8%-28.3%).
• Higher estimates of high blood pressure compared to NHANES data (40.7% in 2017 to March 2020; 95% CI, 37.9%-43.5% and 36.8% in 2021 to 2023; 95% CI, 34.4%-39.4%).

Interpretation:

Limitations:

• Convenience sampling may introduce selection bias.
• Differences in blood pressure measurement protocols compared to NHANES.
• Lack of information on treatment for hypertension.

Conclusion:

Sources:

• JAMA Cardiology