Why are We Missing the Target in Hypertension?

Introduction and objectives: Blood pressure control plays a key role in the reduction of cardiovascular mortality. Control of hypertension becomes even more difficult when other risk factors accompany. The aim of the present study was to identify the parameters that effect the achievement of target blood pressure levels in hypertensive patients. Methods: 536 patients (376 female, 160 male) diagnosed more than 3 months ago and receiving antihypertensive treatment with good compliance were eligible for the study. Patients achieving and not achieving target blood pressure levels were compared with regard to factors that may effect the achievement of systolic and diastolic targets. Results: When the two groups were compared, age caused a significant difference for achieving target systolic blood pressure (p 0.001), however such a relation was not found for diastolic blood pressure targets. Obtained blood pressure values were 136.6/88.5 mm/Hg and 144.6/90.9 mm/Hg for male and female patients, respectively. Male patients were more successful in achieving diastolic blood pressure targets (p=0.014). When subgroup analysis was made for sex, age maintained its significance for the achievement of systolic blood pressure targets in both groups (p=0.001 for males and P=0.024 for females), however it was not significant in terms of achieving diastolic targets in either group (p=0.076 and 0.333, respectively). Comorbidities such as obesity, hyperlipidemia and diabetes were not significantly effecting achievement of systolic or diastolic targets (p=0.150 and 0.169 for systolic and diastolic targets, respectively). Conclusion: Present study found age as the most important factor in achieving target blood pressure levels.