Blood pressure control in the hypertension clinic.
BACKGROUND
One effort to improve hypertension care in the United States is the development of the "Hypertension Specialist" program with appropriate training and certification of individual physicians.


METHODS
We examined the impact of a hypertension clinic on blood pressure (BP) levels and control.


RESULTS
By one year, BP declined 18/9 mm Hg, (P =.001) and BP control rates increased from 26% to 55% (P <.001) for systolic BP, from 47% to 82% (P <.001) for diastolic BP and from 18% to 52% (P <.001) for both. Age and systolic BP were significantly higher in uncontrolled patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Attendance in a hypertension clinic significantly impacts BP control.
Bansal
Nisha
N
Center for Cardiology and Cardiovascular Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut 06030, USA.
Tendler
Beatriz E
BE
White
William B
WB
Mansoor
George A
GA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008511:Medicine; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013038:Specialization
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents