Awareness of Risk Factor Management, Complications, and Prevention Among Adult Patients With Recently Diagnosed Hypertension
Hypertension is the main risk factor for cardiovascular and renal diseases. Aware- ness of hypertension has been researched for extended time. It is a serious concern of public health worldwide. A common problem regarding hypertensive patients in Estonia is a lack of or inadequate management of elevated blood pressure.
The aim of this descriptive quantitative research study was to explore awareness of blood pressure, hypertension risk factors, hypertension management and complications among the patients with the diagnosis of essential hypertension during 2012 in Estonia.
Methods. A random sample (n=2700) involved 30% of the population. The subjects were delivered a questionnaire by direct mailing by the Health Insurance Fund. The final sample comprised 857 subjects. Background variables involved gender, age, residence, education, occupational status, and the primary communication language.
Results. Stress (51.7%), overweight (47.0%), and alcohol abuse (37.1%) were mentioned as very important causes for increased blood pressure. The majority of the respondents (70.0%) considered increased blood pressure very dangerous. Besides, 70.8% of the respondents reported a strong relationship between elevated blood pressure and stroke. For 79.5% of the respondents, it was most important to follow the treatment prescribed by a physician. The role of weight loss (60.1%) and healthy diet (58.6%) were highly estimated. Less than half of the respondents (40.4%) interrupted their medication; and the highest interruption rate was observed (50.5%) in the youngest age group (18 to 39 years). The occupationally active respondents interrupted their medication more frequently (45.6%) compared with the occupationally inactive subjects (34.4%). Regular use of prescribed medicines, stopping smoking, and decrease of workload were reported as the most important factors that helped to keep blood pressure under control. The role of physical activity, healthy diet, decreased salt consumption, and stress avoidance were also reported as important factors.
Correspondence to E. Sooväli Tartu Health Care College, Nooruse 5, Tartu 50411, Estonia. E-mail: evemerikesoovali@nooruse.ee