CHANGES IN THE PATTERNS OF BLOOD-PRESSURE TREATMENT IN NORTH-AMERICA FROM 1960-1990

Seven North American surveys investigation a total of 241 725 hyperten sives conducted between 1960-90 were reviewed with respect to their tr eatment status. In 1960 and 1970 nearly half of hypertensives were una ware of their condition and only 16% were treated and well-controlled. During the time period between 1970-1990 the proportion of the 'unawa re' respondents declined to 16%, while the proportion of treated and w ell controlled patients increased to more than 40%. The proportion of those who are treated but the blood pressure fails to be controlled by the therapy to a satisfactory degree remained essentially unchanged, at around 16%. The proportion of those who are aware of their hyperten sion but are not treated shows a moderately decreasing trend, still re presenting 16% of all hypertensives in a recent Canadian survey. Altho ugh the handling of hypertension as a public health problem is largely successful, one third of patients still don't receive optimal therapy or is not treated at all.