Awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in Denmark. The Inter99 study

We describe the current status of awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in Denmark and identify predictors for not being optimally treated.

A population-based sample, the Inter99 study, of 6784 individuals aged 30-60 years completed a questionnaire about lifestyle and risk factors for cardiovascular disease and had a physical examination including at least two blood pressure (BP) measurements. Hypertension was defined as BP >or= 140/90 mmHg or receiving medical treatment for hypertension. Predictors for awareness, treatment and control were analysed in logistic regression models.

Nearly 40% were diagnosed with hypertension and more than 60% were not aware of the diagnosis. Half of those aware of the diagnosis did not receive medical treatment and among those who did, only 21% had their hypertension controlled. Only 10% of all persons aware of their hypertension had a BP below 140/90 mmHg. A higher degree of awareness and treatment of hypertension was positively associated with female sex, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, age, contact to general practitioner, healthy diet and increasing body mass index and age. We did not identify predictors for control of hypertension.

There is a major gap between how hypertensive patients are managed in Denmark and the current treatment goals and recommendations of hypertension.