Blood pressure levels in treated hypertensive patients in general practicein Norway

The aim of this study was to examine the blood pressure (BP) levels in pati ents treated for essential hypertension in 1816 patients in general practic e in Norway. The study was based on an optical readable questionnaire fille d out by the physician including information about systolic (S) and diastol ic (D) BP, gender, age, body weight, smoking habits and all pharmaceutical treatment given. Sixty-four per cent of the patients were treated with one antihypertensive drug. Only 22.3% of the women and 30.7% of the men (p < 0. 05) had BF <less than or equal to> 140/90 mmHg. When BP < 160/95 was used a s criterion for BP control, the fraction of patients was 50%. The fraction of patients with DBP <less than or equal to> 80 mmHg was 26% in the whole g roup of patients. DBP less than or equal to 90 mmHg was achieved in 74% and SEP less than or equal to 140 mmHg in 30% of the patients. The BP control was less in women and in patients above 60 years of age, Patients on combin ation therapy were no better controlled than those on monotherapy. Based on our results, the proportion of hypertensive patients on drug treatment wit h insufficient BP control is too high. Efforts should be made to improve th e medical treatment of hypertension in general practice in Norway.