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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Sandra Duggan, Professor Martin Eccles, Dr Nick Steen, Professor Gary Ford
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Objectives: the benefits of treatment of hypertension in older people are well-established but implementation of this knowledge may be sub-optimal. We have determined recent primary care management of older people with hypertension. Methods: we examined health records (n=6986) of a 1 in 7 sample of patients aged 65-80 years from a random sample of practices (n=51) in the former Northern Region of the UK, stratified by health authority, for the previous 6 years. We recorded documented risk factors, diagnosis of hypertension, three most recent blood pressure readings, current drug therapy and previous blood pressure lowering therapy, and presence of coexistent pathology. Results: blood pressure was defined as hypertensive (≥160/≥90 mmHg; one or both values above these limits), normotensive or undetermined using a validated algorithm. In 30% of patients, blood pressure status was undetermined. Thirty-five percent of subjects were found to be hypertensive. Of these, 70% were receiving antihypertensive treatment but only 30% of treated patients had controlled (<150 and 90 mmHg) and 13% well controlled (<140 and 85 mmHg) blood pressure. In all, 14% of older hypertensive patients were detected, treated and had their hypertension controlled. There were significant differences between practices in the proportion of hypertensive patients treated (P<0.001) and in the proportion of hypertensive patients whose blood pressure was controlled (P<0.01). Conclusions: treatment of hypertension in older people in primary care has improved in terms of detection and treatment but in only one-third of patients is high blood pressure controlled. There remain important opportunities for prevention of stroke and myocardial infarction in this age group through achieving improved blood pressure control.
Author(s): Duggan S, Eccles MP, Steen N, Jones S, Ford GA
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Age and Ageing
Year: 2001
Volume: 30
Issue: 1
Pages: 73-76
Print publication date: 01/01/2001
ISSN (print): 0002-0729
ISSN (electronic): 1468-2834
Publisher: Oxford University Press
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ageing/30.1.73
DOI: 10.1093/ageing/30.1.73
PubMed id: 11322677
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