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Lack of effective blood pressure control among an elder hypertensive population in Buenos Aires
P Przygoda1, J Janson, M O'Flaherty
1Servicio de Clínica Médica, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina. przygoda@iname.com
Insights
Awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension are low among elderly individuals in Buenos Aires. This study highlights significant gaps in managing high blood pressure in this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Cardiovascular Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, particularly in older adults.
- Effective management of hypertension is crucial for reducing morbidity and mortality in the elderly population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the awareness, pharmacologic treatment, and control rates of hypertension among individuals aged 65 and above in Buenos Aires.
- To identify potential gaps in hypertension management within this demographic.
Main Methods:
- A random sample of 1000 individuals aged 65+ was selected from Buenos Aires' national health care program.
- 414 eligible participants were enrolled, with data collected on hypertension awareness, treatment, and control.
- Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the prevalence and management of hypertension.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of hypertension in the sample was 77.5%.
- Awareness of hypertension was reported by 60.7% of hypertensive individuals.
- Only 54% of hypertensive subjects received pharmacologic treatment, and merely 18.5% achieved blood pressure control.
Conclusions:
- There is a low level of awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension among elderly subjects in Buenos Aires.
- These findings underscore the need for improved hypertension screening, treatment strategies, and patient education in older populations.
Abstract:
Our purpose was to determine the level of awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in a population of subjects aged 65 or more. We studied a random sample from the national health care program in Buenos Aires. Letters were mailed to 1000 selected individuals. Among those eligible, 41.4% (n = 414) were enrolled. The mean age was 73.8 years and 68% were women. Prevalence of hypertension in our sample was 77.5% (n = 321). Awareness of hypertension was 60.7% (n = 195). Fifty-four percent (n = 173) of the hypertensive subjects were receiving pharmacologic treatment and only 18.5% (n = 32) of them were controlled. These results show that there is a low level of awareness, pharmacologic treatment, and control of hypertension in the studied elderly subjects.