Does the cardiologist have a key role in long-term management of hypertension?

Wilke, Andreas and Steverding, Dietmar (2011) Does the cardiologist have a key role in long-term management of hypertension? Cardiology Research, 2 (2). pp. 79-81. ISSN 1923-2837

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Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a widespread chronic condition which is usually treated with hypertensive drugs. However, 50% of hypertensive patients do not achieve control of their blood pressure below the standard target of 140/90 mmHg when treated with a single antihypertensive drug. Generally, hypertension specialists have a key role in managing hypertensive patients. Methods: A retrospective case note review based on observations made in a cardiological outpatient clinic in Germany was carried out to assess whether the recommendation given by hypertension specialists were followed. The aim was to lower the blood pressure to < 130/85 mmHg over a period of six months by administering the new antihypertensive drug Zaneril® (lercanidipine/enalapril). Twenty-four hour blood pressure profiles were monitored a fortnight and six months later. Results: Of the 130 patients, whose average blood pressure was 163/87 mmHg before receiving hypertensive treatment, only 44 (34%) were still on Zaneril® therapy six months later. Eighty-four patients (65%) did not turn up for follow-up examinations. The blood pressure of patients who were under Zaneril® therapy for the whole six months was better adjusted than that of patients who changed their treatment in the meantime (133/78 mmHg vs. 139/80 mmHg). Conclusions: Specialists have only little influence on the long-term therapy of hypertensive patients.

Item Type:	Article
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Gastroenterology and Gut Biology
Depositing User:	Rhiannon Harvey
Date Deposited:	12 Dec 2011 15:01
Last Modified:	22 Nov 2022 10:32
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/35696
DOI:	10.4021/cr36e

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