Blood pressure control in hypertensive patients in Irish primary care practices.

In Ireland, cardiovascular disease is a major cause of death. However, blood pressure (BP) goal achievement is unsatisfactory. The authors aimed to document BP control and increase awareness. A total of 1534 patients were enrolled in the study, with a mean age of 64.7+/-11.9 years (53.8% women). Duration of hypertension was 8.7+/-7.7 years, and 14.6% had diabetes, 13.8% had coronary artery disease, and 40.5% were taking antihypertensive monotherapy. beta-Blockers (39.8%), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (32.2%), and angiotensin receptor blockers (22.0%) were prescribed most frequently. Mean BP was 136.0+/-6.1 mm Hg/89.5+/-5.0 mm Hg in nondiabetic patients (48.6% <140/90 mm Hg) and 131.0+/-7.4 mm Hg/81.7+/-4.6 mm Hg in diabetic patients (16.7% <130/80 mm Hg). Diet, exercise, and lifestyle modifications (63.5%) were frequently recommended. Increased patient awareness and compliance together with the adherence of physicians to current guidelines and greater willingness to take action in patients with uncontrolled hypertension should help in improving BP control and thus reduce cardiovascular risk.