[Results of an intensive training program for hypertension at the Institute for Preventive Medicine].
OBJECTIVE
The burden of insufficiently treated arterial hypertension is still underestimated. During 1998 to 1999 we conducted an intensive training program in cooperation with regional practitioners. The aim of this program was to educate the patients about their disease and motivate them to comply with therapy. The effectivity of this program yet needs to be evaluated.


METHODS
146 patients (mean age 62 years; 57 male, 89 female) with arterial hypertension were trained. They received 8 training units of 90 min each. Before training and 6 months after training data concerning health status and life style risk factors were assessed with questionnaires.


RESULTS
There was a marked reduction in blood pressure after 6 months (152/89 mmHg vs 145/85 mmHg, p < 0.001). The mean body weight also declined on the average by 0.9 kg (p < 0.001). Physical exercise spent per week increased from mean 2.0 to 2.8 hours (p < 0.01). Moreover, knowledge about hypertension increased (p < 0.001). The established questionnaire SF-36 revealed a better score for vitality (p < 0.05) six months after therapy than before.


CONCLUSIONS
Our intensive training program of patients with arterial hypertension has profound effects on their systolic and diastolic blood pressure. It also motivates patients to change life style. Our data suggest that intensive training programs should be developed on a widespread basis.
Danzer
E
E
Institut für Präventive Medizin der Nieren-, Hochdruck- und Herzerkrankungen an der Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg.
Gallert
K
K
Friedrich
A
A
Fleischmann
E H
EH
Walter
H
H
Schmieder
R E
RE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001794:Blood Pressure; D004521:Educational Measurement; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011315:Preventive Medicine; D012307:Risk Factors