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Published on: September 26, 2018

[Impact of hypertension in cardiac diseases in Spain. The CARDIOTENS Study 1999]

J R Juanatey1, E A Ezquerra, J V Vidal

  • 1Sección de Hipertensión Arterial, Sociedad Española de Cardiología.

Revista Espanola De Cardiologia
|February 22, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Hypertension frequently coexists with cardiac diseases like heart failure, coronary disease, and atrial fibrillation in Spain. Blood pressure control and appropriate treatment for these high-risk patients remain suboptimal, falling short of guideline recommendations.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Hypertension Management
  • Public Health

Context:

  • Hypertension is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
  • Understanding the prevalence and control of hypertension in patients with coexisting cardiac conditions is crucial for effective management.
  • This study focuses on the Spanish healthcare system, analyzing data from a large cohort of outpatients.

Purpose:

  • To determine the prevalence of hypertension in patients with established cardiac diseases (heart failure, coronary disease, atrial fibrillation) in Spain.
  • To assess the level of blood pressure control and the utilization of guideline-recommended pharmacological treatments in these patients.
  • To compare the management of hypertensive patients with cardiac conditions between primary care physicians and cardiologists.

Summary:

  • A prospective study of 32,051 outpatients revealed hypertension in 33% of the total cohort, with 19% having both hypertension and a cardiac disease.
  • Hypertension was highly prevalent in patients with heart failure (77%), coronary disease (66%), and atrial fibrillation (66%).
  • Blood pressure control below 130/85 mmHg was achieved in less than 20% of patients with hypertension and cardiac disease. Treatment adherence to guidelines for specific conditions (e.g., ACE inhibitors for heart failure, beta-blockers for coronary disease, anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation) was poor. Primary care physicians demonstrated slightly better treatment outcomes compared to cardiologists.

Impact:

  • The findings highlight a significant gap in the management of hypertensive patients with coexisting cardiac conditions in Spain.
  • Low rates of blood pressure control and suboptimal pharmacological treatment underscore the need for improved clinical strategies and adherence to guidelines.
  • This research provides valuable insights for healthcare providers and policymakers to enhance cardiovascular care and reduce the burden of hypertension-related complications.
Abstract

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