title: Patient related factors for optimal blood pressure control in patients with hypertension.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patient related factors hindering optimal blood pressure (BP) control in patients with hypertension are unclear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the barriers to optimal hypertension management.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey on the awareness and management of hypertension was conducted in 556 patients (365 males, mean age 60.9 ± 10.1) from a rural community.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 556 patients who had a clinical diagnosis of hypertension, 127 (22.8%) were unaware the existence of the condition and received no therapy. In the 429 patients who were aware the presence of hypertension, 206 (48.0%) did not receive any antihypertensive medication at the time of this study. Fifty-four (12.5%) had a BP of less than 140/90 mm Hg. Only 21 (4.9%) received formal counselling or education from health professionals and 74 (17.2%) were aware of the optimal level of BP. Difficulty in accessing a specialist doctor was reported by 126 (29.4%). In 279 (65.0%), missing regular antihypertensive medications was reported in the 4-week period prior to this study. Omitting prescribed antihypertensive drugs due to the costs was reported by 169 (39.4%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Inadequate counselling, lack of understanding on the disease, difficulties in accessing specialist care and poor medication adherence are the barriers to optimal BP control.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Policy and Management, International Business College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, PR China.
authors.forename: Wang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yi-Bing
authors.forename: Kong
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: De-Gui
authors.forename: Ma
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Long-Le
authors.forename: Wang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Le-Xin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002681:China; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D012648:Self Care; D057566:Self Report
keywords: anti-hypertensive drugs; hypertension; management barriers; specialist care