ASSESSING THE USEFULNESS OF SELF-MEASUREMENT OF BLOOD PRESSURE IN PATIENTS IN CONTROLLING BLOOD PRESSURE IN HYPERTENSIVES

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficiency of self-measurement of blood pressure (SMBP) in controlling blood pressure levels in known hypertensives Design and method: The study was conducted on 1700 known adult hypertensives attending the outpatient department of a charitable hospital. The patients were on anti-hypertensive treatment but had poorly controlled hypertension (Systolic Blood pressure more than equal to 140 mmHg, Diastolic Blood Pressure more than equal to 90 mmHg). The patients were divided into Group 1(Non-Intervention group) and Group 2 (Intervention group). The patients were given an Omronâ HEM-7200-AP3 automatic blood pressure monitor to record their blood pressure daily at home. Blood pressure was recorded at each visit to the clinic. There were 820 participants in the intervention group, 880 in the control group. Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. Training was given to the participants to measure their blood pressure. The patients recorded 3 blood pressure readings at home daily in the morning at an interval of 1 minute between each reading. Results: Blood pressure was measured after 6 weeks of the self-monitoring of blood pressure and the proportion of patients whose blood pressure was well controlled was 13.4% higher in the intervention group than in the control group (P = .01). After 12 weeks of SMBP the difference between groups was 14.1% (P = .02). Most participants(n = 1340/1700, 78.8%) did not take 5 minutes rest before recording their first blood pressure and 91.7% participants (n = 1560/1700) did not wait for 1 minute between two blood pressure readings. Conclusions: Self-measurement of blood pressure was effective in controlling blood pressure in the short term, but its effects need to be studied over a long term. The patients did not wait for 1 minute between each blood pressure reading or took complete 5 minutes rest before the first reading. Regular training and guidance for the patients is needed for protocols to be followed.