Hypertension control and management in Slovenia, Yugoslavia

Data were collected from 413 questionnaires sent to general practitioners throughout Slovenia, accounting for half the physicians in this discipline. BP was measured most commonly in the sitting position (72%), mostly on the left arm. Most respondents (93%) used only one cuff size. Correction of BP readings according to the patient's arm circumference was used by 63% of the respondents. Seventy-eight percent of the general practitioners recorded phase V of the Korotkoff sounds for diastolic BP. BP was measured more than once at each examination by 55%. BP measurements were performed by nurses in 27% of cases. Mercury sphygmomanometers were used by 87%. Manometers were calibrated once a year by 73%. Complete diagnostic procedures for the definition of hypertension were conducted in approximately 50% of patients, predominantly in severe cases. Drug treatment was commenced in the range of 'mild hypertension' usually by 93% of the general practitioners. It was started at BP values of 165/99 mmHg and higher. In patients with other risk factors, it was instituted even earlier. General measures (non-drug therapy) were advised by only 30%. Beta-blockers were usually prescribed to younger patients as drug of choice (74%), and diuretic agents to the elderly (48%). General practitioners' sources of new information about hypertension were mainly medical literature, pharmaceutical industry information, and professional meetings. Prevalence of hypertensive BP values in the responding general practitioners themselves was 8%.