The diagnosis health education and control of hypertensive patients in the murcia region spain

Guillen S. M.; Romero P. R.; Aleman J. A.; Sanchez J. M.

A questionnaire-study was done on 1006 subjects, selected according to areas, rural or urban residence, age, sex and working activity. Hypertensive patients (262) are found (26%), 33.5% of whom were unaware of their condition. This lack of awareness is more frequent in young subjects (P < 0.0005), in men (P < 0.01), in subjects living in the rural areas (P < 0.05); social status having no influence (P < 0.10). Of the hypertensive subjects who are aware of this condition, 76.4% regularly have their BP [blood pressure] checked, usually by a doctor (59.4%) and in the sitting position (84.2%). Only 18.3% were submitted to any other additional exploration; preferably the older ones and only 6.8% have had > 3 tests. Of hypertensives, 32.8% know that hypertension cannot be cured but can be controlled, but 62.2% of them know about its complications.