Combined antihypertensive treatment is better than mono-therapy in hypertensive patients.

Abstract

Background: Hypertension (HT) is a chronic condition associated with serious complications. In the present cross-sectional study, we aimed to analyse factors that contribute to blood pressure control in subjects with HT.

Methods: Subjects with HT admitted to outpatient internal medicine clinics of the institution were enrolled in the study. According to the Joint National Committee (JNC) VIII criteria, subjects with a mean blood pressure above target levels were defined as poorly-controlled hypertensive patients and others were grouped as well-controlled hypertensive patients. Clinical and laboratory parameters were compared between study groups.

Results: Smokers were more prevalent in the poorly-controlled HT group compared to the well-controlled HT group (p = 0.001). The number of patients who adhered to dietary and exercise recommendations were greater in well-controlled HT group than poorly-controlled HT group (p < 0.001 for both). The rate of combined therapy was greater in well-controlled HT group compared to poorly-controlled HT group (p = 0.04).

Conclusions: We suggest that, in addition to dietary and exercise recommendations and smoking cessation, treatment with combination therapy could be better in reaching blood pressure targets in patients with HT.