Analysis of factors, associated with the probability of antihypertensive medication in the population of patients with arterial hypertension

Abstract

Aim . To analyze factors associated with the probability of antihypertensive drugs (AHD) receiving in the population of patients with arterial hypertension (AH). Material and methods . 334 hypertensive men and 436 women of 25-64 years old from the representative sample of general population were examined. The associative analysis included socioeconomic, psychosocial, behavioral and biological variables. Univariable and multivariable (logistic regression) statistics were applied. The error probability <5% was considered statistically significant. Results . Over 60% of the low/moderate cardiovascular risk (CVR) hypertensive women were taking medications. The highest medication rate was found at very high CVR. Men with high CVR have showed lower medication rate than expected. There is a reserve for more complete treatment coverage among those with very high CVR. Factors of nontaking medications in both genders included: being non-informed of elevated blood pressure (BP), lack of knowledge of own BP, AH absence in the relatives, higher education. Younger age, intensive smoking (in those without chronical heart disease), non-attendance of a doctor over the past year correlated with lower odds of medication in men whereas SCORE 10 and above, and occupational physical activity pattern “walking mostly” were associated with lower odds of medications in women. Conclusion . We emphasize several factors, associated with lower odds of taking medication in the hypertensive population. These factors should be considered when developing tools to help motivate obviously healthy people to participate in screening programs and to explain risks and potential benefits of a conscious attitude to hypertension problem.