Correlates of drug therapy of diastolic blood pressure between 80-89 mm Hg by physicians in the community.

We have conducted a random probability survey of primary care physicians (n = 477) to examine the factors which might influence the level of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) felt by physicians to warrant antihypertensive drug therapy in young adults. Of the responding physicians, 18.4% reported treating young adults who had a DBP of less than 90 mm Hg. This practice was correlated with physician opinions about the efficacy of hypertension treatment and the reported influence of pharmaceutical representatives on physician practice. We conclude that reported therapy of DBP less than 90 mm Hg in young adults is highly prevalent. Such therapy is correlated with physician opinions as well as the perceived influence of pharmaceutical sources of information.