Trend of office and home blood pressure control in treated hypertensive patients: changes in antihypertensive medication and salt intake

Abstract

Blood pressure (BP) control in hypertensives has improved in recent years; however, it remains insufficient. We investigated the trend of BP control status in hypertensive patients with antihypertensive medication and salt intake. Two hundred and eight treated hypertensive patients were prospectively followed between 2007 and 2012. During this period, average clinic BP significantly decreased from 137 ± 12/80 ± 9 to 133 ± 11/76 ± 8 mmHg, and the achievement rate of BP control defined as <140/90 mmHg increased from 58% to 71% (p < 0.01). Morning home BP also significantly decreased from 132 ± 8/80 ± 8 to 130 ± 8/76 ± 7 mmHg, and the percentage of patients with sustained hypertension (CBP ≥140/90 mmHg and HBP ≥135/85 mmHg) decreased from 27% to 16% (p < 0.05). The number of antihypertensive drugs increased significantly from 2.1 ± 1.2 to 2.3 ± 1.1 (p < 0.01), while no differences were observed in urinary salt excretion (9.0 ± 2.4 g/day in 2007, 9.0 ± 2.6 g/day in 2012). Office and home BP decreased and the rate of BP control increased in treated hypertensive patients in the past 5 years. Intensive pharmacological therapy, but not a reduction in salt intake appears to have contributed to improved BP control.