Related Experiment Videos

Evaluation of therapeutic control in a Pakistani population with hypertension

Danish Saleheen1, Saman K Hashmi, Moazzam Zaidi

  • 1Center for Non-Communicable Diseases, Karachi, Pakistan.

Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice
|July 16, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Hypertension management in Pakistan is inadequate, with only 6.4% of patients achieving blood pressure control. Modifiable cardiovascular disease risk factors like smoking and hypercholesterolemia are prevalent, highlighting the need for improved physician education.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Public Health
  • Primary Care Medicine

Background:

  • Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) pose a growing threat in South Asia.
  • Hypertension is a significant, modifiable risk factor for CVD.
  • Effective blood pressure control is crucial for CVD prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess blood pressure control in hypertensive patients in Pakistan.
  • To determine the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among these patients.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study was conducted across 50 primary health care centers in Pakistan.
  • Patients with a history of hypertension on medication were evaluated.
  • Blood pressure control and cardiovascular risk factors were assessed.

Main Results:

  • Only 6.4% of participants achieved the target blood pressure (<140/90 mmHg).
  • Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly above recommended levels.
  • High prevalence of smoking (30.5%), hypercholesterolemia (59.5%), and sedentary lifestyles (43.5%) was observed.

Conclusions:

  • Hypertensive patients in Pakistani primary care settings exhibit poor blood pressure control.
  • Significant cardiovascular risk factors are common in this population.
  • Continuous education for primary care physicians is essential to improve hypertension management and outcomes.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Hypertension IV: Drug Therapy and Lifestyle Modifications01:28

Hypertension IV: Drug Therapy and Lifestyle Modifications

Multiple classes of antihypertensive medications are employed in treating hypertension. The most commonly recommended first-line treatments include:Thiazide Diuretics, such as chlorthalidone, increase sodium and water excretion from the body, reducing blood volume and blood pressure.Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, like lisinopril, block the conversion of angiotensin I to II, a potent vasoconstrictor lowering blood pressure.Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs) prevent angiotensin II...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Calcium Channel Blockers01:26

Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Calcium Channel Blockers

Receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are two critical categories of drugs employed in the treatment of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). PAH is a disease that causes high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries, resulting in chest pain, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
TKIs, such as imatinib (Gleevec), are particularly effective in tackling the growth and mitogenic factors that become upregulated in PAH patients. These factors contribute to the...
Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure01:18

Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure

Hypertension, the most common cardiovascular disease, is diagnosed through repeated measurements of elevated blood pressure. Its risks, including damage to the kidney, heart, and brain, are directly proportional to blood pressure levels. Starting from 115/75 mm Hg, the risk of cardiovascular disease doubles with each increment of 20/10 mm Hg. The diagnosis relies on blood pressure measurements, not on patient symptoms, as hypertension is often asymptomatic until end-organ damage is imminent or...
Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:30

Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

Hypertension is asymptomatic and also referred to as the "silent killer" until it progresses to a severe stage or causes target organ disease. Patients may experience symptoms stemming from the strain on blood vessels and tissues in various organs or the heart's increased workload.Physical exams might show no abnormalities other than high blood pressure. Signs of vascular damage, when present, correspond to the organs supplied by the affected vessels, leading to target organ damage. For...
Hypertension V: Nursing Management01:23

Hypertension V: Nursing Management

The nursing management of hypertension involves accurately assessing symptoms, making a comprehensive nursing diagnosis, collaborating with patients to set goals, and implementing targeted interventions to mitigate the condition's impact and improve patient well-being.Comprehensive AssessmentThe initial step in nursing care for hypertension involves a thorough patient assessment. It includes evaluating symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, and previous hypertension episodes.
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Affecting Factors01:29

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Affecting Factors

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) is the clinical practice of measuring specific drug levels in a patient's blood or body tissues to manage and optimize therapy. TDM is crucial for drugs with narrow therapeutic windows, like warfarin and phenytoin, where incorrect doses can lead to treatment failure or severe side effects. This monitoring ensures the dosage administered is within a safe and effective range. The factors affecting therapeutic drug monitoring include:Patient-Specific Factors:a.