General practitioners' management of hypertension in elderly patients. Issue 6856 (26th September 1992)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fotherby, M. D.; Harper, G. D.; Potter, J. F.
• Is Part Of: BMJ. Volume 305:Issue 6856(1992)
• Page Start: 750
• Page End: 752
• Publication Date: 1992-09-26
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine; Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/bmj.305.6856.750
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1447

Abstract

Abstract : OBJECTIVE--To assess general practitioners' attitudes to the diagnosis and management of hypertension in elderly patients. DESIGN--Postal questionnaire to all general practitioners in Leicestershire. RESULTS--360 of 451 general practitioners (80%) responded. 81% (292) reported rechecking an initially high blood pressure on two or three occasions before starting treatment, 56% (202) measured sitting blood pressure only, and just 28% (100) took sitting and standing levels. 36% (128) had no upper age limit for starting anti-hypertensive treatment; of the 58% (206) who did, the median was 80 (range 70-99) years. Blood pressure levels reported for starting treatment in patients aged 70-79 years were 180 (150-240)/106 (90-120) mm Hg. 34% of general practitioners (121) would not treat isolated systolic hypertension. The most popular first line treatment for an elderly hypertensive patient was a thiazide diuretic; only 17% of general practitioners (61) initially tried non-pharmacological methods. 34% (122) would continue anti-hypertensive treatment unchanged in the period immediately after stroke. CONCLUSIONS--The variation among general practitioners in the criteria for the measurement, diagnosis, and treatment of hypertension in elderly patients emphasises the need for clear management guidelines in this age group.