CAUSES OF UNCONTROLLED BLOOD PRESSURE IN THE OVER-۶۵ POPULATION

Abstract  INTRODUCTION: Hypertension is a major cause of cardiovascular disease and the prevalence of hypertension shows a linear increase with aging so that it increases by ۱۰ percent every ۱۰ years. This study was conducted to investigate the causes of uncontrolled blood pressure in people aged over ۶۵ years. methods: This descriptive case-control study was conducted at Isfahan Amin Hospital in ۲۰۰۳ on two-hundred over-۶۵ subjects diagnosed with hypertension through a routine travel check-up for Mecca pilgrimage. After medical examinations and blood pressure measurement according to WHO standards, the subjects were divided into a case group (controlled blood pressure) and a control group (uncontrolled blood pressure), respectively. A questionnaire was filled in for each subject and the data were analyzed with χ۲ and t-student test. results: The case and control groups had mean ages of ۷۰.۷±۵.۲ and ۶۹.۵±۴.۹ years, respectively. In the case group, less than half of the subjects were taking their antihypertensive medications regularly and ۱۲.۵% engaged in self-therapy. Fifty-five percent of subjects in the case group expressed a lack of motivation as the reason for discontinuing therapy. Their knowledge and practice were also found to be significantly lower than the control group (P<۰.۰۵). Discussion: In comparison with other studies, it was observed that the most common causes of uncontrolled blood pressure are poor knowledge, inappropriate practice in avoiding risk factors, and the discontinuation of pharmaceutical antihypertensive therapy.Keywords . Hypertension . Cardiovascular diseases . Antihypertensive agents . Diet therapy