Female gender was associated with similar blood pressure control compared to men (21.8% vs 21.2%) among treated hypertensive patients, despite differences in prescribed medications.
Cross-Sectional (n=11,562)
Absolute Event Rate: 21.8% vs 21.2%
Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in women. Aim. To evaluate blood pressure control, prevalence of concomitant cardiovascular risk factors, subclinical and clinical organ damage, and treatment according to gender. Methods. 11,562 patients (49% women) from the cross-sectional I-inSyst survey in primary care were included. Results. Blood pressure control in women (21.8%) and men (21.2%) was similar, despite a slightly older age (64.9 vs 63 years, p<0.0001). Women had less concomitant cardiovascular risk factors and organ damage, with the exception of diabetes, cerebrovascular and renal disease, than men. They received more antihypertensive drugs than men (1.7 ± 0.9 vs 1.5 ± 0.9, p<0.0001). Diuretics were more (45% vs 36.5%, p<0.0001), calcium-channel blockers (26% vs 29%, p<0.003) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (20% vs 22%, p<0.02) were less commonly prescribed in women than in men. Different clinical factors (i.e. age, duration of hypertension, smoking) in women and men were associated with blood pressure control, but gender itself was not. Conclusions. In this group of treated hypertensive patients, blood pressure control in women and men was not different. Women had a lower prevalence of most cardiovascular risk factors, subclinical and clinical organ damage. Antihypertensive drug treatment varied according to gender.
Niepen et al. (2010) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension (n=11,562). Female gender vs. Male gender was evaluated on Blood pressure control. Female gender was associated with similar blood pressure control compared to men (21.8% vs 21.2%) among treated hypertensive patients, despite differences in prescribed medications.