Key result
Adults with self-reported high blood pressure were significantly more likely to receive advice to change their diet (OR 5.0) and reduce salt (OR 5.2), but less likely to be advised to exercise.
Why the study?
What is the prevalence of self-reported high blood pressure awareness, advice received, and actions taken among US adults?
Cross-Sectional (n=4,286)
What is the prevalence of self-reported high blood pressure awareness, advice received, and actions taken among US adults?
Odds Ratio: 5 (95% CI 4.2–6)
Absolute Event Rate: 48.3% vs 14.1%
p-value: p=<0.05
May indicate need for better adherence support; leaves open whether addressing advice disparities improves outcomes.
High blood pressure awareness, advice received from health care providers, and adoption of heart-healthy behaviors were assessed using the Healthstyles 2002 survey. About 20% of respondents reported that they had high blood pressure, and 53% of these were currently taking medications to lower blood pressure. Black men had the highest adjusted prevalence of high blood pressure (32%). Medication use among persons with high blood pressure was lower among Hispanics (45%) than among blacks (54%) and whites (54%). Persons reporting having high blood pressure were five times more likely to report having received advice from a health care professional to go on a diet or change eating habits (p<0.05) and reduce salt or sodium in their diet (p<0.05), but five times less likely to have received advice to exercise (p<0.05) than those reporting not having high blood pressure, after adjustment for differences in sex, race/ethnicity, and age. Persons with self-reported high blood pressure were also more likely to be making these modifications (p<0.05). Among people with high blood pressure, current medication use was associated with both receiving and following advice for diet change and salt reduction (p<0.05). Future initiatives are needed to improve the proportion of Hispanics and blacks taking prescribed medications to improve high blood pressure control and reduce risk for serious sequelae such as heart disease and stroke.
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Ayala et al. (2005) conducted a cross-sectional in High blood pressure (n=4,286). Self-reported high blood pressure vs. No self-reported high blood pressure was evaluated on Received advice from a health professional to go on a diet or change eating habits (OR 5.0, 95% CI 4.2-6.0, p=<0.05). Adults with self-reported high blood pressure were significantly more likely to receive advice to change their diet (OR 5.0) and reduce salt (OR 5.2), but less likely to be advised to exercise.
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