title: Continued improvement in hypertension management in England: results from the Health Survey for England 2006.
abstract: This study evaluate whether blood pressure management has improved in England between 2003 and 2006, using cross-sectional, nationally representative, random samples of 8834 (in 2003) and 7478 (in 2006) noninstitutionalized adults (aged > or =16 years) of mean age 46 (in 2003) and 47 (in 2006) years. Overall mean blood pressure levels in 2006 were 130.8/74.2 mm Hg in men and 124.0/72.4 mm Hg in women. Awareness of hypertension increased significantly in the overall population (from 62% in 2003% to 66% in 2006; P<0.001), the increase being significant in women (from 64% in 2003% to 71% in 2006; P<0.001) but not in men (from 60% to 62%; P=0.26). Similarly, the proportion treated had risen significantly overall (from 48% to 54%; P<0.001) and in women (from 52% to 62%; P<0.001) but not in men (from 43% to 47%; P=0.05). Control rates (<140/90 mm Hg) were higher in 2006 than in 2003 (from 22% to 28%; P<0.001) and had increased more among women than men: from 23% to 32% in women (P<0.001) and from 21% to 24% in men (P=0.02). Among those on treatment, control rates increased from 46% to 52% (P<0.001; from 44% to 53% in women, P<0.001; and from 48% to 52% in men, P=0.18). The most common agents used for monotherapy have changed since 2003 and were angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers. Where > or =2 drugs were used, the most common antihypertensive class used varied by age and ethnicity. Awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension increased between 2003 and 2006, particularly in women, but opportunities for further improvement remain.
authors.affiliation: Health and Social Surveys Research Group, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, UCL, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom. e.falaschetti@ucl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Falaschetti
authors.forename: Moushumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chaudhury
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mindell
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Poulter
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010820:Physicians / Q000191:economics; D015995:Prevalence; D011634:Public Health / Q000193:education; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents