Person—blood pressure (systolic) (measured), millimetres of mercury NN[N]

Guide for use:
For recording the systolic reading, use phase I Korotkoff (the first appearance of sound). If Blood pressure - systolic is not collected or not able to be collected, code 999.

Origin:

The National Heart Foundation Blood Pressure Advisory Committee's 'Guidelines for the Management of Hypertension - 1999' which are largely based on World Health Organization Recommendations. (Guidelines Subcommittee of the WHO-SH: 1999 WHO-ISH guidelines for management of hypertension. J Hypertension 1999; 17:151-83).

Australian Bureau of Statistics 1998. National Nutrition Survey User's Guide 1995. Cat. No. 4801.0. Canberra: ABS. (p. 20).

National Diabetes Outcomes Quality Review Initiative (NDOQRIN) data dictionary.

Comments:

The pressure head is the height difference a pressure can raise a fluid's equilibrium level above the surface subjected to pressure. (Blood pressure is usually measured as a head of Mercury, and this is the unit of measure nominated for this metadata item.)

The current (2002) definition of hypertension is based on the level of blood pressure above which treatment is recommended, and this depends on the presence of other risk factors, e.g. age, diabetes etc. (NHF 1999 Guide to Management of Hypertension).