Hypertension: Deficient Care of the Medically Served

Deficiencies in the detection, treatment, and control of hypertension before hospitalization have been shown by a survey of 185 patients admitted for various surgical procedures unrelated to hypertension. From their current status or previous history, 51 patients were classified as hypertensive. Twenty-six of these were currently hypertensive; 10 of these (6 of whom were previously unrecognized) had never received treatment, and 8 had discontinued therapy. Among 25 patients currently under treatment, 8 were hypertensive, and 10 others had blood pressures above normal. These conditions could not be attributed to lack of access to medical care, since all but three patients had visited a primary source of medical care within the past year. Discontinuation of treatment by the physician or patient was the predominant reason. A change in both physician and patient behavior is critical for the success of hypertension-control programs.