P-487: Blood pressure control in Italy

• Published in: American journal of hypertension 2001-04, Vol.14 (S1), p.194A-194A
• Main Authors: Tomassoni, Gianluca, Marinucci, Maria Contina, Masci, Pier Giorgio, Scatigna, Maria, Desideri, Giovambattista, Ferri, Claudio, Santucci, Anna
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: blood pressure control; lifestyle; pharmacological treatment
• ISSN: 0895-7061; 1941-7225; 1879-1905
• DOI: 10.1016/S0895-7061(01)01701-0

Although hypertension is one of the most important cardiovascular risk factor in western societies, the outcomes of achieving blood pressure normalisation in european countries are still disappointing. During the current year, 1554 consecutive hypertensive patients referred to our Hypertension Outpatient Unit for obtaining a “certificate of disease”. Among the above patients, we selected those [n=214 (13.7%); 134 females, 80 males; mean age 64±11 years) whose hypertension was managed by general practitioners since the first diagnosis. Data were collected by accurate personal history, clinical documents, and the use of a questionnaire. Initial blood pressure levels, i.e. pre-treatment, resulted of 178±19/102±11 mmHg. Post-treatment blood pressure (mean hypertension duration = 10±8 years) was 149±15/87±8 mmHg (p 95 mmHg with a systolic blood pressure < 140 mmHg or a systolic blood pressure > 160 mmHg with a diastolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg. Thus, 89.3% of treated hypertensive patients managed by general practitioners is still hypertensive in Italy. Statistical analysis failed to indicate an interpretation of such delusive results, but poor attention to lifestyle changes should be taken into consideration.