COMPLIANCE WITH ANTIHYPERTENSIVE TREATMENT IN CONSULTATION ROOMS FOR HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS

Compliance with antihypertensive therapy was examined by a questionnai re in 124 essential hypertension patients in an outpatient hypertensio n clinic. It was found that antihypertensive drugs were used regularly by only 62% of patients, with forgetting and feeling of well-being wi thout therapy the principal reasons given for irregular drug taking. T reatment of hypertension is reported to have a deleterious effect on p hysical and mental activity, routine activities, sexual activity, memo ry, athletics and family life in only 2% of patients. Patients who wer e aware that increased BP reduces life span used the prescribed drugs more regularly and came regularly for checkups compared with patients lacking the relevant information. Patients over 60 years of age and sm okers exhibited the worst compliance. No significant differences were found for sex or duration of treatment. With regard to nonpharmacologi cal measures, most patients were willing to begin a programme of regul ar physical exercise, reduce weight, learn relaxation techniques and r educe alcohol intake: smokers, however were unable to stop the habit.