[Distribution and acceptance of self measurement of blood pressure in the Hamburg area].

According to a pilot study in the Hamburg area 17% of the hypertensives practised home measurement of blood pressure. 2/3 of the remaining 83% were informed about the method, but not sufficiently. Half of the patients on home recording bought the device of their own accord. They were not trained by qualified personnel and their technique was not reviewed. Nearly 2/3 of the patients on home recording were mildly hypertensive. 3/4 of those with severe hypertension received a prescription for the device from their doctors. 3/5 controlled their blood pressure daily, 3/4 additionally if necessary. Those registering elevated values reacted on the whole reasonably. Dosages could be reduced in 1/4 of the cases, 2/5 of the patients consulted their doctors less, more than half came to a positive attitude towards their disease. There were mostly good reasons for buying a home device. 90% of the hypertensives accepted the method of self measurement. Only 10% were unable to practise home recording and felt a certain uneasiness.