Eating habits and intensity of medication in elderly hypertensive outpatients

Several dietary factors have been shown to lower blood pressure in elderly patients in clinical trials, but it is not known how eating habits affect b lood pressure control in outpatients treated with antihypertensive drugs. W e obtained data on dietary information regarding food groups rich in potass ium, magnesium, and calcium by submitting a questionnaire to 190 elderly ou tpatients. Brood pressure levels and the intensity and cost of antihyperten sive treatment were obtained from clinical records. The mean age and blood pressure were 72.3+/-9.3 years and 138.7+/-15.2/74.6+/-8.8 mmHg, respective ly. Patients were divided into three groups on the basis of the intensity o f medication: the LS group (n = 52), treated with a low dose of a single dr ug; the HS group: (n = 95), treated with a high dose of a single drug; and the M group (n = 43), treated with multiple drugs. Average age, body mass i ndex, blood pressure levels, and extent of target organ damage were similar among the three groups. Intake frequency (rarely, once or twice per week, 3 to 6 times per week, or every day) of the food groups was compared among the three groups. The LS group ate fruit (p<0.05) and seaweed (p<0.01) with significant frequency compared with the other groups, whereas milk and dai ry products were taken with similar frequency by all groups. The monthly co st of antihypertensive medications averaged does not satisfy 17,218+/-620 i n the LS group, does not satisfy 17,746+/-375 in the HS group, and does not satisfy 20,066+/-1,364 in the M group. These data suggest that habitual in take of foods rich in potassium and magnesium are associated with reduced i ntensity and cost of medication and with preservation of blood pressure con trol in elderly hypertensive outpatients.