Platek AE, et al. – This paper strived to establish the prevalence of arterial hypertension among a group of continuous professional drivers. Patients with hypertension were often found to be male and reported a family history of cardiovascular disease. Hence, arterial hypertension appeared to be highly prevalent in professional drivers. The abnormal day–to–night blood pressure (BP) values patterns were noted in this group.

Methods

• The RACER study was a prospective study which gauged the cardiovascular risk factors in professional drivers.
• Participants were screened for the classical and non-classical cardiovascular risk factors and had an ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) performed.
• 144 drivers were enrolled into the RACER-ABPM study.

Results

• 135 candidates (95.7%) were male at mean age of 50.2±9.3 years with mean body mass index of 32.3±3.0 kg/m².
• The family history of cardiovascular disease was noted in 21.3% of patients, 28.1% were current smokers and 2.9% had diabetes mellitus.
• Arterial hypertension was previously diagnosed in 39 (27.9%) patients.
• In ABPM, the mean 24-hour blood pressure (BP) values were 130.3±14.3 and 80.9±9.9 for systolic and diastolic BP respectively.
• 46.1% of the patients could be categorised as dippers.
• Arterial hypertension was diagnosed in 104 (73.8%) of patients.