title: Hypertension control and management in Slovenia, Yugoslavia.
abstract: Data were collected from 413 questionnaires sent to general practitioners throughout Slovenia, accounting for half the physicians in this discipline. BP was measured most commonly in the sitting position (72%), mostly on the left arm. Most respondents (93%) used only one cuff size. Correction of BP readings according to the patient's arm circumference was used by 63% of the respondents. Seventy-eight percent of the general practitioners recorded phase V of the Korotkoff sounds for diastolic BP. BP was measured more than once at each examination by 55%. BP measurements were performed by nurses in 27% of cases. Mercury sphygmomanometers were used by 87%. Manometers were calibrated once a year by 73%. Complete diagnostic procedures for the definition of hypertension were conducted in approximately 50% of patients, predominantly in severe cases. Drug treatment was commenced in the range of 'mild hypertension' usually by 93% of the general practitioners. It was started at BP values of 165/99 mmHg and higher. In patients with other risk factors, it was instituted even earlier. General measures (non-drug therapy) were advised by only 30%. Beta-blockers were usually prescribed to younger patients as drug of choice (74%), and diuretic agents to the elderly (48%). General practitioners' sources of new information about hypertension were mainly medical literature, pharmaceutical industry information, and professional meetings. Prevalence of hypertensive BP values in the responding general practitioners themselves was 8%.
authors: University Clinical Centre, Department of Internal Medicine, Ljubljana, Yugoslavia.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Jezersek
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Dolenc
authors: Z
authors: Z
authors: Kralj
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015022:Yugoslavia
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents