[Non-pharmacological treatment of hypertension in practice of primary care physicians]. / Niefarmakologiczne leczenie nadcisnienia tetniczego w praktyce lekarzy opieki podstawowej.

ABSTRACT

The role of non-pharmacological methods in prevention and treatment of hypertension is well documented. Weight in patients with overweight and obesity, sodium intake restriction and alcohol drinking limitation are especially effective in arterial pressure reduction. The aim of this questionnaire study was to evaluate the knowledge and skills in that field of physicians working in primary health care. The study was done with 91 physicians working in Warsaw District. All of them declared that they give instructions about life style to their patients with hypertension. In majority it was oral consultation (36 persons, 39%) or oral consultation with distribution of booklets or brochures (48 persons, 52%). Six physicians (7%) sent patients to specialist. Pharmacological treatment was started most often from the systolic pressure 160 mmHg (59 persons, 64%) and diastolic pressure 100 mmHg (39 persons, 42%). Non-pharmacological advice was given most often at systolic pressure above 140 mmHg (44 persons, 48%) and diastolic pressure above 90 mmHg (67 persons, 73%). Salt intake reduction was advised always or usually by 82 physicians (90%), alcohol drinking reduction by 77 persons (85%) and tobacco smoking cessation by 86 persons (95%). Regular physical activity was advised always or usually by 75 persons (82%). Evaluation of nutrition was done predominantly by asking a few not-formal questions (62 persons, 67%). Only 1 physical used daily diary of nutrition. Similarly in evaluation of physical activity 62 persons (67%) used only not-formal questions. It is worthily to note that 36 persons (40%) considered that they need more skills to give advices of healthy life style, 49 persons (53%) did not enough time to do that and 30 persons (33%) thought that it is hard to give advices they can't keep themselves. All questionnaire physicians declared to use non-pharmacological treatment in patients with hypertension. Quite good knowledge of essential recommendations in that field was stated. The results of this questionnaire indicate that many physicians estimate their knowledge and skills as low in that sphere.