I. Balazovjech et P. Hnilica, COMPLIANCE WITH ANTIHYPERTENSIVE TREATMENT IN CONSULTATION ROOMS FOR HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS, Journal of human hypertension, 7(6), 1993, pp. 581-583
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.