Abstract
Hypertension is the commonest medical condition in Ireland. (1) To examine the level of awareness of blood pressure (BP) in the population and (2) to ascertain the opinion of general practitioners (GPs) in diagnosis and management of hypertension. BP measurements and assessment of BP awareness were performed in a sub-sample of the general population (n = 1,071). The opinion of GPs (n = 1,037) on hypertension was determined in a postal survey. Amongst the population sampled (45 ± 13 years, mean age ± SD), almost half had elevated BP (>140/90 mmHg) but only half of those were already on antihypertensives. 40% had no knowledge of their BP and 54% were not aware of what constituted normal BP. While some 80% of GPs said they followed British guidelines, their practice was more in keeping with the European guidelines. Approximately, 90% of GPs required ambulatory BP recording to confirm diagnosis of hypertension. First choice antihypertensive agents were ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor antagonists in younger patients and diuretics and ACE inhibitors in older patients. These results suggest that there is a need for further public education on BP and nationally agreed hypertension guidelines.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
