Blood pressure uncontrolled

The research group, consisting of Dr Herbert Jelinek, Mrs Cherryl Kolbe and Professor Lexin Wang from CSU and Albury-based general practitioner Doug Oxbrow, were particularly concerned at the alarmingly poor diagnosis of hypertension among the study participants from Albury-Wodonga, located on the NSW-Victorian border.

“Over 20 per cent of participants in the study showed the high blood pressure symptomatic of hypertension but did not know they had it and were not receiving any treatment,” Dr Jelinek said.
 
“Hypertension is behind nearly 18 per cent of diseases reported in Australia, yet levels of treatment are low. We must better identify and monitor people so we can successfully treat them for this debilitating condition, which can lead to so many complications and deadly conditions.”
 
The study, carried out in the University’s Allied Health Clinic on the Albury-Wodonga Campus, investigated the blood pressure and heart condition of nearly 700 residents from the twin cities. Over 37 per cent reported they had been diagnosed with hypertension, with 43 per cent of these reporting they were on medication. However, less than half of those on medication actually achieved the ‘normal’ range of blood pressure recommended when their blood pressures were assessed.
 
“We are particularly concerned at the awareness and management of hypertension in rural Australia,” said Dr Jelinek.
 
“Many participants with hypertension were not seeking treatment, and for those that were being treated, many were not keeping their blood pressure down.
 
“Over 40 participants were not even aware at the time of the study they had been identified with hypertension and had been prescribed antihypertensive medications!
“We need better education of both patients and their primary carers in the management of hypertension if we are to successfully address this disease,” he concluded.

(Source: Charles Stuart University: August 2008)