[Self-measurement of blood pressure in hypertensive subjects in Germany. Results of a questionnaire in Spring/early Summer 1993].
The 'cardiovascular hotline' in Heidelberg, established in April 1992, provides data concerning the self-measurement of blood pressure. For this purpose 277 hypertensives were asked from 15 April to 15 July 1993. 195 (70%) of those questioned (47% men, 53% women) practised home-recording, but only 17% on recommendation of their physician. Only 22% were introduced to the technique by experienced personnel; just 50% were adequately controlled. At least 35% of hypertensives used an oscillometric device and not more than 10% an auscultation device. 5 to 14% of the patients reported to have difficulties in handling their device. Approximately 60% of the patients practicing home-recording stated that this method enabled them to cope better with their disease. Compared with the 1987 pilot study in the Hamburg area, this percentage did not increase; however, it could be confirmed that only approximately 10% of the patients are unsuited for home-recording. 75% of the hypertensives measuring their own blood pressure documented their values, but in only 47% of all cases physicians drew conclusions from the data. 31% of the patients were unable to say whether their medication was adjusted on the basis of self-measured blood pressure values. In conclusion, many hypertensives practice self-measurement of blood pressure. Despite this fact, home-readings are not yet sufficiently accepted by physicians as a possible and desirable method to optimize high blood pressure treatment. This situation should be improved since compliance of physicians is the basis for a better education of hypertensive patients, thus optimizing patient compliance.
Krecke
H J
HJ
Deutsche Liga zur Bekämpfung des hohen Blutdrucks, Deutsche Hypertonie-Gesellschaft, Heidelberg.
Lütkes
P
P
Maiwald
M
M
Schultze-Rupp
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012648:Self Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Blutdruckselbstmessung bei Hypertonikern in Deutschland. Ergebnisse einer Umfrage im Frühling/Frühsommer 1993.