title: Hypertension management: results of a new national survey for the hypertension education foundation: Harris interactive.
abstract: A new national online survey by Harris Interactive of 1245 hypertensive individuals indicates that >90% were aware that elevated blood pressure (BP) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The majority discovered that they had elevated BP levels as a result of a routine examination. More than two thirds of persons identified 120/80 mm Hg as an optimal BP level; only 6.0% stated that the Internet was their primary source of information about high BP. More than 60% of respondents had a body mass index >30 kg/m(2), and >50% had other cardiovascular risk factors. More than 50% were involved in some lifestyle change to control BP, and >90% were taking medication. More than 60% reported that BP was controlled (<140/90 mm Hg) at the last visit, although approximately 50% were told that their BP was high at some time. The survey results suggest that >90% of hypertensive patients are aware of the risks of elevated BP and that a high percentage of hypertensive patients are being treated with medication. Control rates as reported by respondents were >60% based on last BP recorded; however, between 31% and 40% of patients (based on differences in ethnic groups) were continued on the same therapy despite elevated BP levels. The survey suggests a high degree of risk awareness and treatment, and what appears to be an increase in control rates among hypertensive patients.
authors.affiliation: Hypertension Education Foundation, Inc., Scarsdale, NY 10583, USA. moserbp@aol.com
authors.forename: Marvin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moser
authors.forename: Stanley S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Franklin
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American; D001364:Awareness; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D018660:Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D015995:Prevalence; D012107:Research Design; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People