The study assessed whether community-based hypertension screening influences subsequent blood pressure (BP) measurements at 1, 2, and 3 years, and whether effects vary by socioeconomic status (SES). Embedded in a ChinaHEART subcohort, BP was measured at baseline and follow-up visits, with SES data including education, household income, occupation, and urbanity.
A sharp regression discontinuity design estimated screening effects on BP, with additional analysis using interactions to probe SES modification. Overall, the analysis found no effect of baseline hypertension screening on the primary BP outcomes.
However, stratified results by education level suggested differential short-term effects on systolic BP at 1 year: 5.52 mm Hg higher at primary or lower education, 0.80 mm Hg at middle education, and −7.39 mm Hg at high school or above (P for interaction = 0.002). Among individuals with high school or above education, the BP reductions persisted at 1, 2, and 3 years (−7.39, −8.30, and −4.63 mm Hg; CIs variably crossing zero).
Diastolic BP changes were smaller and not statistically significant.
Journal of the American Heart Association published a clinical update in Cardiology on 10 Mar 2026.
The item focuses on Impact of Community‐Based Hypertension Screening on Blood Pressure Management and the Role of Socioeconomic Status.
Review the original article for the full source wording and details.