PROBLEMS IN CONTROL OF HYPERTENSION IN COMMUNITY

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 118  (1) , 37-40
Abstract
A hypertension survey was conducted in Montreal Quebec, Canada to determine the extent, nature and distribution of the control of hypertension. Of the 12,055 persons screened in shopping centers, workplaces and a random sample of homes in 4 census tracts, the hypertension was not controlled in 69.0-80.3% of those with the condition in each setting. Nearly 2/3 of those with hypertension were aware of their condition, 13% were aware but were never treated, 13% were receiving treatment inadequate to control their hypertension, and 11% discontinued treatment, most reporting that they did so on the advice of their physician. Among those screened in their home, discontinuance of therapy was most often reported by those with a low income, but lack of awareness of their condition was no more prevalent in this group than in the other income groups. Efforts to control hypertension should be directed to the variety of causes of lack of control, which may occur with various frequencies in different communities, and for which screening alone may be inadequate.