MEPAFAC I study: blood pressure Measurement in adolescents by Community pharmacists in chools. Education on Cardiovascular risk factors. Objectives and design

INTRODUCTION Knowing consensus values of blood pressure in youths will help not only to identify individuals predisposed to cardiovascular diseases but also to design prevention strategies.

OBJECTIVES To provide values of blood pressure measurement in a sample of young men and women between 12 and 17 years old and health education to this population.

MATERIAL AND METHODS Epidemiological, observational, transversal and multicenter study in secondary schools in Madrid, on a sample of 2,500 young people chosen by cluster sampling. They underwent a survey on their lifestyle, anthropometric examinations and measurement of blood pressure. Health education was also given through a training lecture.

USE OF THE STUDY Getting to know reference values for blood pressure and cardiovascular risk factors for our adolescents is not, on its own, of any practical use unless it is accompanied by effective intervention to prevent the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Changes in lifestyle have an A level of recommendation. As this study hopes to show, pharmacists may function as health educators to promote healthy lifestyles.