3/2007The cognizance of patient’s own blood pressure values and the hypertension prevalence among rural population– Kiełpino program

ZOFIA BABIŃSKA (Międzyuczelniane Uniwersyteckie Centrum Kardiologii, Katedra Medycyny Rodzinnej Akademii Medycznej w Gdańsku)

Background
Hypertension is a common disease is Poland. If not treated it affects the comfort of patient’s life, leads to many complications, even premature death and is increasing the cost of subsequently introduced treatment.

Material and methods
The measurement of blood pressure was carried out 3 times in 469 village inhabitants. Patients with increased values of blood pressure (SBP . 140 mm Hg and/or DBP . 90 mm Hg) were examined one more time on another appointment. The diagnosis of arterial hypertension was made after two measurements of high blood pressure values on separate appointments or already introduced treatment of hypertension. The knowledge of patient’s own values of blood pressure was established with the use of a questionnaire evaluating the life style and the presence of cardiovascular risk factors.

Results
74.6% of the responders (77.2% female and 70.2% male) were aware of their own value of blood pressure. Older and more educated persons declared they knew the value of their own blood pressure. Increased values of blood pressure (= 140/90 mm Hg) were affirmed in 51% of responders (46.6% female and 58.3% male), more often by older and less educated people. Hypertension in anamnesis declared 39.4% of women and 42.8% of men. The diagnosis of hypertension was stated for the first time during the study in 21.3% of responders (18% female and 26.8% male).

Key words: arterial hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, prevalence, awareness