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Many Adults Not Controlling Blood Pressure
NEW YORK (Reuters
Health) - At least one half of older
adults with high blood pressure do not have their pressure controlled
to levels that would limit their risk of heart disease and stroke,
according to a large national study.
The risk of heart disease, the
leading cause of death in the US, increases when blood pressure
exceeds 140/90 millimeters (mm) of mercury (Hg). Control is achieved
when the top number or systolic pressure falls below 140 mm/Hg.
Failing to control this number may account for up to 22% of heart
attacks and 34% of strokes that occur each year in older adults,
the researchers explain.
"The expected public health benefit
of more aggressive treatment of systolic hypertension (high blood
pressure) is likely to be large," Dr. Bruce M. Psaty from the
University of Washington in Seattle and colleagues write in the
November 11th issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Their study included information
on nearly 6,000 US adults aged 65 and older who had their blood
pressure measured annually. High blood pressure was reported to
the patient and the patient's doctor.
While the rate of blood pressure
treatment and control increased over the following decade, about
50% of people with high blood pressure remained untreated despite
the yearly reports. And low-dose diuretics and beta-blockers,
safe medications recommended as initial treatments for high blood
pressure, were not used as often as they could have been.
Overall, however, the average number
of blood pressure-lowering medications used by each person rose,
the report indicates.
"More widespread use of low-dose
diuretics is likely to be an important public health intervention
to prevent the devastating complications of hypertension, including
stroke, (heart attack) and heart failure," Psaty and colleagues
conclude.
Diuretics flush excess water from
the body, thereby helping the heart work more efficiently. The
medication has been shown to lower the risk of stroke, congestive
heart failure, coronary disease and death in individuals who retain
fluid, and is safe and effective for older adults.
SOURCE: Archives of Internal Medicine
2002;162:2325-2332.
Reference
Source 89
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