Patient knowledge of blood pressure target is associated with improved blood pressure control in chronic kidney disease

Abstract Objective To describe patient hypertension knowledge and associations with blood pressure measurements. Methods Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) were asked about the impact of high blood pressure on kidneys and their target blood pressure goal. Systolic blood pressure was measured using automated sphygmomanometers. Results In 338 adults with hypertension and pre-dialysis CKD, the median [IQR] age was 59 [47,68] years, 45% [ n = 152] were women, and 18% [ n = 62] were non-white. Lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) was associated with female sex (SBP mmHg median [IQR] 132 [117,149] women vs. 137 [124,152] men; p = 0.04), less advanced CKD (SBP 134 [122,147] stages 1–2 vs. 132 [118,148] stage 3 vs. 140 [125,156] stages 4–5; p = 0.01), and patient ability to correctly identify SBP goal (SBP 134 [119,150] correct vs. 141 [125,154] incorrect; p = 0.05). In adjusted analysis, knowledge of blood pressure goal remained independently associated with lower SBP (−9.96 mmHg [−19.97, −1.95] in correct respondents vs. incorrect; p < 0.001). Conclusion Patient knowledge of goal blood pressure is independently associated with improved blood pressure control. Practice implications Interventions to improve patient knowledge of specific blood pressure targets may have an important role in optimizing blood pressure management.