Efficacy of pharmacological treatment of hypertension in patients hospitalized in cardiac rehabilitation centre

Abstract

Background Knowledge of the prevalence, detection and efficacy of treatment of hypertension (HT) plays key role in patients with high cardiovascular risk. The aim of the study was to evaluate efficacy of treatment of HT in patients hospitalized in Upper-Silesian Cardiac Rehabilitation Centre in Tarnowskie Gory.
Material and methods Cross-sectional study was performed in 100 patients, 50 men and 50 women, aged 64.8 ± 9.6 y. Efficacy was assessed by gender, occurrence of coronary heart disease, diabetes, high body mass index and a number of hypertensive agents. A threshold of blood pressure (BP) 130/80 mm Hg was established as a proper BP control.
Results Most patients used 2 (52%) or 3 (30%) BP lowering agents. Beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors were the most frequently used drugs (in 81 and 69 patients, respectively). A proper BP control was found in 69% of patients (72% of women and 66% of men, p = 0.5). Efficacy of treatment was similar in patients with and without coronary artery disease (68% and 80%, p = 0.2) and in patients with or without diabetes (64% and 71.6%, p = 0.5). Effective treatment was lower in those with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m² (21.7%) compared with non-overweight persons (66.2%), p < 0.001. The highest efficacy was revealed in patients using one (85%) or 2 drugs (71%) compared with those taking 3 (67%) or 4 hypotensive agents (20%), p = 0.009.
Conclusions Effective treatment of HT in patients hospitalized in cardiac rehabilitation centre is 69%. Gender, occurrence of diabetes or coronary artery disease do not affect efficacy of HT control. The presence of overweight or obesity has negative impact on BP control. The number of hypertensive agents is negatively correlated with effective BP control.
Arterial Hypertension 2010, vol. 14, no 4, pages 261-266.