The PAMELA research project: a 25-year long journey.

Among the observational studies performed in the area of blood pressure measurements in the population the "Pressioni Arteriose Monitorate E Loro Associazioni" (PAMELA) investigation represents a unique research for several reasons. The PAMELA study combines clinic, home and 24-hour blood pressure measurements in all participants, which were representative of the general population. Examination included metabolic variables, allowing us to determine the interrelationships between blood pressure and metabolic profile. The protocol also included evaluation of organ damage, such as left ventricular hypertrophy, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, left atrial dimensions and aortic root diameters. Finally, PAMELA represents one of the few studies with a prolonged follow-up, the last survey being completed three years ago, and data collected are under analysis. This will allow to update the information related to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the study cohort. The present paper provided an overview of the various scientific contributions of the PAMELA study to the epidemiology, pathophysiology and clinical aspects of hypertension and hypertension related cardiovascular risk.