Hypertension treatment and control rates: chart review in an academic family medicine clinic.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize hypertension management in an academic family medicine clinic.


METHODS
Cross-sectional chart review.


METHODS
Academic family medicine clinic in Edmonton, Alta.


METHODS
A total of 210 patients with 1 or more visits for hypertension during the previous 3 years.


METHODS
Patient characteristics, current antihypertensive therapies, most recent blood pressure measurements, and compelling indications according to the 2006 Canadian Hypertension Education Program recommendations.


RESULTS
A total of 185 subjects (88%) were prescribed antihypertensive medications, and 89 (42%) had controlled hypertension. Younger subjects, people with diabetes, and people not receiving antihypertensive medication therapy appeared less likely to have controlled hypertension. There were 76 subjects (36%) prescribed 1 antihypertensive medication, 65 subjects (31%) prescribed 2 antihypertensive medications, and 44 (21%) prescribed 3 or more antihypertensive medications. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors were prescribed for 51% of the subjects, diuretics for 47%, beta-blockers for 27%, calcium channel blockers for 23%, angiotensin receptor blockers for 20%, and alpha-blockers for 1%.


CONCLUSIONS
Hypertension treatment and control rates in this academic family medicine clinic appear to be better than those in the general population. Following the principles of a continuous quality improvement process, this information will serve as an important foundation for identifying areas to improve hypertension management in the clinic.
Houlihan
Sara J
SJ
University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2N8.
Simpson
Scot H
SH
Cave
Andrew J
AJ
Flook
Nigel W
NW
Hurlburt
Mary E
ME
Lord
Chris J
CJ
Smith
Linda L
LL
Sternberg
Harvey H
HH
D000416:Alberta; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents