[Knowledge level of hypertensive patients about hypertension. Relationship between knowledge level and hypertension control]. / Estudio Conocimiento: grado de conocimiento sobre hipertensión arterial de nuestros pacientes. Relación con el nivel de control de la misma.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge of the hypertensive patients about their hypertension and their relation to its control. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study among 400 hypertensive patients, all over 18 years, selected from 50 primary-care centres, who responded to an hypertension-related survey. Included variables were survey items, age, gender, educational level, professional occupation, blood pressure data and antihypertensive treatment. The obtained differences were analyzed using the chi-square test, Kruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon, Anova and Bonferroni methods. RESULTS: There were 323 valid surveys. 52.9% of respondents were women, the average age: 65.4 years (SD: 11.2), 54.8% of them had primary education. 39.6% were aware of the objectives of systolic BP control. Only 19.6% having knowledge of those for diastolic BP control, with no differences between controlled and uncontrolled (systolic BP: 39% vs 38.1%, P=.887; diastolic BP: 19.2% vs 21%, P=.721). Over 70% knew about lifestyle changes, without significant differences between controlled and uncontrolled respondents. 82% of controlled respondents, and 79% of those uncontrolled, recognized the chronical nature of the treatment (P=.548), but 15.1% of the controlled respondents and 12.4% of uncontrolled respondents did not see the relation between the treatment and hypertension control (P=.525). 31.1% believed to be well-controlled, but in fact was not. CONCLUSIONS: Our patients doesn't know blood pressure targets of control. There isn't relationship between this knowledge and control of hypertension.

Estudio Conocimiento: grado de conocimiento sobre hipertensión arterial de nuestros pacientes. Relación con el nivel de control de la misma / Knowledge level of hypertensive patients about hypertension. Relationship between knowledge level and hypertension control

Objetivo: Evaluar el conocimiento de nuestros pacientes hipertensos sobre su HTA y su relación con el control de la misma. Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo transversal con 400 hipertensos, mayores de edad, seleccionados de forma sistemática consecutiva de 50 consultas de atención primaria, que respondieron una encuesta sobre HTA. Las variables recogidas fueron los ítems de la encuesta, edad, sexo, nivel educacional, ocupación, cifras de presión arterial y tratamiento antihipertensivo. Las diferencias se analizaron con los test ji-cuadrado, Kruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon, Anova y Bonferroni según distribución normal. Resultados: Fueron válidas 323 encuestas. El 52,9% fueron mujeres, edad media de 65,4años (DE: 11,2). El 54,8% contaban con estudios primarios. El 39,6% conocían los objetivos de control de PA sistólica, y solo el 19,6% los de PA diastólica, sin diferencias entre controlados y no controlados (PA sistólica: 39% vs 38,1%, p = 0,887; PA diastólica: 19,2% vs 21%, p = 0,721). Más del 70% conocían las modificaciones del estilo de vida, sin diferencias entre controlados y no controlados. El 82% de los controlados y el 79% de los no controlados reconocieron la cronicidad del tratamiento (p = 0,548), pero el 15,1% de los controlados y el 12,4% de los no controlados no lo relacionaban con el control de la HTA (p = 0,525). El 31,1% creían estar bien controlados aunque no lo estaban. Conclusiones: Los pacientes hipertensos conocen en baja frecuencia cuáles son los objetivos de control, sin encontrar relación entre el conocimiento del problema y el control del mismo

Objective: To assess the knowledge of the hypertensive patients about their hypertension and their relation to its control. Material and methods: Cross-sectional study among 400 hypertensive patients, all over 18 years, selected from 50 primary-care centres, who responded to an hypertension-related survey. Included variables were survey items, age, gender, educational level, professional occupation, blood pressure data and antihypertensive treatment. The obtained differences were analyzed using the chi-square test, Kruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon, Anova and Bonferroni methods. Results: There were 323 valid surveys. 52.9% of respondents were women, the average age: 65.4 years (SD: 11.2), 54.8% of them had primary education. 39.6% were aware of the objectives of systolic BP control. Only 19.6% having knowledge of those for diastolic BP control, with no differences between controlled and uncontrolled (systolic BP: 39% vs 38.1%, P = .887; diastolic BP: 19.2% vs 21%, P = .721). Over 70% knew about lifestyle changes, without significant differences between controlled and uncontrolled respondents. 82% of controlled respondents, and 79% of those uncontrolled, recognized the chronical nature of the treatment (P = .548), but 15.1% of the controlled respondents and 12.4% of uncontrolled respondents did not see the relation between the treatment and hypertension control (P = .525). 31.1% believed to be well-controlled, but in fact was not. Conclusions: Our patients doesn’t know blood pressure targets of control. There isn’t relationship between this knowledge and control of hypertension

Un hipertenso con accidentes isquémicos transitorios de repetición / Repetitive transient ischemic attacks in a male hypertensive patient

Se presenta el caso de un varón hipertenso de 67 años de edad con el antecedente de un accidente isquémico transitorio (AIT). A lo largo del tiempo, desarrolla una estenosis graveen la arteria carótida izquierda y nuevos episodios deficitarios neurológicos de etiología hemodinámica relacionados con un control muy estricto de la presión arterial (PA). Una vez realizada una angioplastia y sin medicación antihipertensiva el paciente permanece asintomático (AU)

The case of a 67-year-old hypertensive man with a history of transient ischemic attack (TIA) is presented. Over time, he developed severe stenos is in the left carotid artery and new neurologic deficit episodes of hemodynamic etiology related to very close control of blood pressure (BP). Following angioplasty and without any antihypertensive medications, the patient remains asymptomatic (AU)

[Prevalence of orthostatic hypotension in elderly hypertensive patients in primary care]. / Prevalencia de hipotensión ortostática en ancianos hipertensos tratados en atención primaria.

OBJECTIVE: To find the prevalence of orthostatic hypotension (OH) and associated factors in elderly hypertensive patients in a primary care setting. DESIGN: Descriptive cross-sectional study. SETTING: La Marina Health Centre (an urban centre in Santander). PATIENTS: A random sample of 295 patients aged 65 years or older regularly assisted from hypertension. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Measurements of sitting and standing blood pressure were obtained. Orthostatic hypotension was defined as 20 mmHg or greater decrease in systolic or 10 mmHg or greater decrease in diastolic blood pressure after 1-minute or 5-minute standing. Associated diseases, symptoms upon standing, medication use, habits and other clinical assessments were also recorded. The prevalence of OH was 14.6%. The prevalence of systolic OH after 1-minute (OH-S1) and after 5-minute (OH-S5) standing was 5.8% in both, and the diastolic OH was 5.1% after 1-minute (OH-D1) and 4.1% after 5-minute (OH-D5) standing. By logistic regression analysis, association between higher level of systolic blood pressure and global OH was found, also with the presence of orthostatic intolerance symptoms (although only 25.6% of the patients with OH showed symptoms) and smoking. Beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers (different from dihydropyridines) use was associated with OH after 1-minute standing and smoking with OH after 5-minute standing. CONCLUSIONS: The detected prevalence is high and justifies the case finding of OH in elderly hypertensive patients in primary care. The symptoms of orthostatic intolerance are correlated with OH, but only 1 out of 4 patients showed symptoms. Smoking could be related with OH, so beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers (different from dihydropyridines) use.