Hypertension awareness in adult patients, prevalance, treatment and control statuses

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension and the factors affecting them. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in Rize Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Training and Research Hospital Family Medicine outpatient clinic with 339 participants over the age of 30. During the outpatient clinic visit of the participants, blood pressure was measured and other anthropometric measurements were recorded and a questionnaire prepared by the researcher was applied. Results: In our study, the prevalence of hypertension was 41%, awareness status was 88.5% and control status was 79.7% in individuals aged 30 years and older who applied to our family medicine clinic. It was found that the rate of hypertension in the parents of individuals with a diagnosis of hypertension was statistically significantly higher than in individuals without hypertension (p=0.011). Only 12.2% of the hypertensive individuals who participated in our study practiced regular physical activity and 74% had a stressful life. In our study, the status of blood pressure measurement in a previous visit to a health institution was questioned in normotensive individuals and as a striking result, it was found that 16.5% of the participants did not have blood pressure measurement in a previous visit to a health institution. A new diagnosis of hypertension was made in 16 participants who did not have a known previous high blood pressure. Conclusions: In order to reduce the prevalence of hypertension, increase awareness and control rates, and reduce the rate of under-measurement of blood pressure, we should be aware of the importance of blood pressure measurement again xii and measure the blood pressure of patients in every possible examination. Family medicine specialists, who deal with their patients with a community-oriented, holistic and comprehensive approach, are the most prominent people who can ensure optimal blood pressure management within the scope of primary and secondary prevention by recognizing, treating and controlling hypertension both before it occurs at elevated BP levels and in the early stages, and by providing continuous counseling. Therefore, family physicians should meticulously address the management of blood pressure at every stage and explain this to patients, promoting health and well-being at every stage and involving them in managing their own health. Keywords: Hypertension, blood pressure measurement, family medicine