HYPERTENSION

Abstract

Hypertension is a common term to define a state of raised blood pressure, and theraised blood pressure is 140 mm Hg mean systolic blood pressure of and mean diastolic bloodpressure of at least 90 mm Hg. Objectives: To assess awareness about Hypertension amongpatients attending Medical OPD at THQ Hospital Hassan Abdal. Materials and Methods: A totalof 150 male, female patients belonging to both rural and urban areas attending Medical OutPatient Department at THQ Hospital Hassan Abdal using a self constructed mixed questionnaire(In English and Urdu). Results: Following findings were observed among patients attendingTHQ hospital, Hassan Abdal: Family history of HTN was found to be 49% and 26% was unawareof family history of HTN. 33% found to have diabetes, 38% were unaware of having or not.29.3% found to have HTN, 48.6% were unaware of having HTN or not. 34% of hypertensivepatients showed compliance to the anti-hypertensive treatment while (66%) showed noncompliance.60.6%, 78%, 62%, 74%, 68% considered the obesity, lack of exercise, cigarettesmoking, anxiety and high cholesterol respectively as causative factor of HTN. Excessive intakeof salt was considered by 56% as causative factor of HTN. 29% considered diabetes Mellitus ascausative factor of HTN. 42%, 31%, 46% and 34% considered the cardiac disease, renal failure,brain hemorrhage and loss vision respectively as complication of HTN. Stroke was consideredcomplication by (54%). 55%, 65%, 53% and 58% considered the regular exercise reduced saltintake, no smoking and keeping weight under-Control respectively as preventive measures ofHTN. Less than half of the respondents considered frequent use of vegetables, excessive intakeof sweets, as the preventive measures of HTN. Conclusions: The assessment of awarenessabout Hypertension among population of various areas can be beneficial in effective planningfor disease prevention and control.