The Current Status of Blood Pressure Control among Patients with Hypertension: A Survey of Actual Clinical Practice

We performed a cross-sectional survey to investigate actual clinical practices regarding blood-pressure control in patients with hypertension. From October 16 to 31, 2008, postal questionnaires regarding the care of patients with hypertension were sent to members of the Kanagawa Physicians Association in Kanagawa, Japan. Data of 675 patients (mean age: 70.1 ± 10.6 years, 301 men and 374 women) were returned. The overall mean systolic blood pressure (BP) in these patients was 134.6 ± 10.6 mm Hg, and diastolic BP was 76.2 ± 8.3 mm Hg. According to the 2009 guidelines of the Japanese Society of Hypertension for the management of patients with hypertension, the target office BP was achieved by 53.9% of all subjects; 29.7% of patients with diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, or a history of myocardial infarction; 72.0% of elderly patients; 23.6% of nonelderly patients (younger than 65 years); and 75.4% of patients with cerebrovascular disease. Cross-sectional analysis showed that factors significantly associated with an increased likelihood of achieving the target office BP were: 1) usage of a larger number of antihypertensive agents in nonelderly patienys and in patients with diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, or a history of myocardial infarction and: 2) usage of a smaller number of antihypertensive agents in elderly patients and patients with cerebrovascular disease. Further follow-up surveys are necessary to provide a full assessment.