Blood Pressure Control in Hypertensive Patients in Irish Primary Care Practices

Abstract

In Ireland, cardiovascular disease is a major cause of death. However, blood pressure (BP) goal achievement is unsatisfactory. The authors aimed to document BP control and increase awareness. A total of 1534 patients were enrolled in the study, with a mean age of 64.7±11.9 years (53.8% women). Duration of hypertension was 8.7±7.7 years, and 14.6% had diabetes, 13.8% had coronary artery disease, and 40.5% were taking antihypertensive monotherapy. β‐Blockers (39.8%), angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (32.2%), and angiotensin receptor blockers (22.0%) were prescribed most frequently. Mean BP was 136.0±6.1 mm Hg/89.5±5.0 mm Hg in nondiabetic patients (48.6% <140/90 mm Hg) and 131.0±7.4 mm Hg/81.7±4.6 mm Hg in diabetic patients (16.7% <130/80 mm Hg). Diet, exercise, and lifestyle modifications (63.5%) were frequently recommended. Increased patient awareness and compliance together with the adherence of physicians to current guidelines and greater willingness to take action in patients with uncontrolled hypertension should help in improving BP control and thus reduce cardiovascular risk.

Antihypertensive drug use and blood pressure control among in-patients with hypertension in a Nigerian tertiary healthcare centre

“…An Irish survey found BP controlled in 48.6% of primary health care patients while study based on United States national health and nutrition examination survey (2001)(2002) have reported BP control in 53.1% of hypertensive patients. [19][20][21] Majority of the patients were in their middle age. There were more male patients than female.…”

Drug therapy, lifestyle modification and blood pressure control in a primary care facility, south of Johannesburg, South Africa: an audit of hypertension management

“…8,9,[19][20][21] International reports including the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2001-2002) 22,23 reported BP control in 53.1% of hypertensive patients, while an Irish survey 24 found BP control in 48.6% of PHC patients. Achieving BP control in 57% of patients in a less resourced PHC setting suggests that PHC has the potential to play a pivotal role in the control of CV diseases in South Africa, since hypertension is the largest contributor to CV diseases.…”

Antihypertensive treatment and control in a large primary care population of 21 167 patients

“…This is in agreement with other findings in the voluntary Swedish National Diabetic Register 30 and elsewhere. 31 Furthermore, high-risk patients often need to be given two or more antihypertensive drugs in order to reduce blood pressure to target. 32,33 We found that 71% did not have a target blood pressure when given monotherapy.…”