Predictors of hypertension control in a diverse general cardiology practice.

Factors influencing hypertension (HTN) control in the United States are not well understood. The authors utilized a newly designed survey instrument to interview patients presenting to a diverse, general cardiology practice at a tertiary care center in order to identify factors associated with HTN control. The study was completed in 154 participants, and 121 (78.6%) had HTN. Of those, 111 (91.7%) had awareness of HTN, and 72 (59.5%) had HTN control, defined as <140/90 mm Hg. In a multivariate analysis, race/ethnicity was not associated with HTN control, but private insurance (odds ratio [OR] 3.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.25-9.28), nonsmoker status (OR 4.36, CI 1.22-15.51), and number of medications used (OR 1.32, CI 1.12-1.56) were associated with HTN control. Correct recognition of systolic blood pressure goal and knowledge of one's current state of HTN control were also associated with control. In conclusion, in a general cardiology practice where patients had a high degree of healthcare access, race/ethnicity was not associated with HTN control, while type of insurance, nonsmoker status, and increased number of medications used were associated. In addition, 2 novel predictors of HTN control, recognition of systolic blood pressure goal and knowledge of HTN control, were identified that can be utilized in creating new HTN treatment interventions.