title: Blood pressure control and knowledge of target blood pressure in coronary patients across Europe: results from the EUROASPIRE III survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Blood pressure management is a key issue among patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). The present study aimed to identify particular patient groups that may need to be specifically targeted in secondary prevention of CHD.
  
  
  METHODS
  EUROASPIRE III is a cross-sectional study conducted in 2006-2007 among patients up to 80 years of age hospitalized for CHD. Patients from 76 centres in 22 European regions were examined on average 15 months after hospitalization. Logistic regression analysis was applied to investigate factors associated with blood pressure control and knowledge of target blood pressure using the cut-point of less than 140/90 mmHg.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 7649 patients using antihypertensive medication 50.4% achieved blood pressure control and 49.4% provided accurate knowledge of target blood pressure. Obese patients were less likely to show controlled blood pressure [odds ratio (OR) 0.72, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.65-0.80] and accurate knowledge of blood pressure target values (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.72-0.90). Dyslipidaemia was negatively associated with blood pressure control and accurate target knowledge. Patients with diabetes mellitus less frequently achieved blood pressure control (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.79-0.99). Accurate knowledge of target blood pressure was positively related to blood pressure control (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.00-1.24). Patients who received advice by a health professional to reduce salt intake, to reduce weight, and to increase physical activity more frequently showed accurate knowledge of blood pressure target values.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Blood pressure control and knowledge of target blood pressure are inappropriate in the European high-risk population of coronary patients. Particularly CHD patients with obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidaemia need better management and control of elevated blood pressure.
authors: Institute of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.
authors: Christof
authors: C
authors: Prugger
authors: Ulrich
authors: U
authors: Keil
authors: Jürgen
authors: J
authors: Wellmann
authors: Dirk
authors: D
authors: de Bacquer
authors: Guy
authors: G
authors: de Backer
authors: Giovanni Battista
authors: GB
authors: Ambrosio
authors: Zeljko
authors: Z
authors: Reiner
authors: Dan
authors: D
authors: Gaita
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Wood
authors: Kornelia
authors: K
authors: Kotseva
authors: Jan
authors: J
authors: Heidrich
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D003142:Communication; D015897:Comorbidity; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents