NEW YORK, Nov 29 -- More than one third of patients with hypertension (high blood pressure) believe that their blood pressure is under control when it is not, and nearly one in four may stop taking their medication because of side effects, according to survey results.
The findings show that the tolerability problem "is widespread among all
patient populations," Dr. Frank James, president of the Association of Black
Cardiologists, the survey sponsor, said in a press release.
In the nationwide survey, 314 patients and 101 doctors were asked about
hypertension medications, side effects, and blood pressure control. The results
were presented at a symposium convened by the Association of Black
Cardiologists, Inc. in Atlanta earlier this month.
Among patients being treated for hypertension, 36% reported changing
medications at least once because of side effects. Fatigue and dizziness were
each reported by about one fifth of patients. African-American patients were
more likely than Caucasian patients to report headache, weakness, and low
potassium levels due to medications.
Although 88% of patients said that they had little trouble with drug
interactions, 75% of the doctors surveyed said that drug interactions are a
common problem. The survey found that 46% of patients take two or three drugs in
addition to their blood pressure medications, and 36% take three to five
additional drugs.
About 30% of patients had been diagnosed with isolated systolic
hypertension, a condition in which the systolic (upper) blood pressure
measurement is over 140 while the diastolic pressure is below 90, within the
normal range. This is the most common form of hypertension in older Americans,
according to the Association of Black Cardiologists.
Previous studies have shown that isolated systolic hypertension is a
significant predictor of heart disease and stroke. Nevertheless, only about half
of the doctors surveyed thought that controlling systolic pressure was the most
important goal in treating older patients with hypertension.
Moreover, 95% of patients said that their blood pressure was under
control, even though 44% of African Americans and 31% of Caucasians reported
systolic pressures over 140 mm Hg.
"Systolic blood pressure is a major predictor of cardiovascular disease,
and this survey underscores the need to do a better job at controlling systolic
pressure in key patient groups," Dr. Domenic Sica of the Medical College of
Virginia explained in the press release. "Clearly, these new results also
indicate a greater need to educate patients on what constitutes elevated
hypertension, including systolic blood pressure."
The current study, the researchers say, confirms recent findings that
awareness, treatment rates, and control of high blood pressure are all
decreasing.
