Markers of loss of control of hypertension.
OBJECTIVE
To identify markers for loss of control of hypertension.


METHODS
Questionnaire administered to patients who had been monitored for 18 months and had had their blood pressure (BP) measured many times.


METHODS
Fifty family practices in southeastern Ontario.


METHODS
Three hundred eighty-five adults with essential hypertension that was initially stable and controlled by medication.


METHODS
Change in BP (from baseline to mean of three measurements over 18 months) and proportion of patients with BP exceeding threshold values at most follow-up visits.


RESULTS
Higher income was associated with an increase in diastolic BP; poor adherence to medication regimens and higher life stress were associated with increases in systolic BP Stress also led to a twofold increase in risk of exceeding BP thresholds. Other factors under study were not related to loss of control.


CONCLUSIONS
Adherence to medication regimens, higher income, and life stress were the only factors associated with elevated BP or loss of control in previously controlled hypertension.
Casson
Richard Ian
RI
Department of Family Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ont. ric@post.queensu.ca
King
Will D
WD
Godwin
Noah Marshall S
NM
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents