High blood pressure increases the risk of several cardiovascular diseases and events, including cerebrovascular accident, coronary heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and peripheral vascular disease. These diseases pose a huge economic and logistical burden on health systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where malnutrition and epidemics due to infectious diseases are still a reason of great concern. In this context, people with pre-hypertension could be a target group; in which, by adopting measures and behavioral changes (such as diet and healthy lifestyles), the progression towards hypertension and subsequent cardiovascular problems might be prevented.

Aim:

To evaluate the potential long-term effect of a mHealth intervention in reducing weight and blood pressure levels five years after randomization of the original intervention.

Study design:

The original intervention consisted of individual phone calls (motivational interview) provided by a nutritionist, followed by short text messages (SMS), in order to achieve lifestyle modifications.

Participants will be contacted five years after the original study. Anthropometric measurements (weight and height), blood pressure measurements and behavioral risk factors (i.e. physical activity, diet, stress, smoking, and alcohol consumption) will be assessed in those individuals who agree to participate in this follow-up study.

Result:

Contact:

Antonio Bernabé-Ortiz, MD, MPH, PhD
antonio.bernabe@upch.pe