| Abstract | INTRODUCTION: Hypertension is an important risk factor for cardiovascular events. Although several anti-hypertensive agents have shown to be effective in the treatment of hypertension, adequate blood pressure control is not frequent in most populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a structured intensive follow-up program (SIFUP) on the control of blood pressure in coronary patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: we performed a prospective, randomized study including 237 patients admitted to the Cardiology Department for acute coronary syndrome. Patients were randomly assigned to a SIFUP (n=129) or to the general cardiology outpatient department (COD) (n=108). An experienced doctor performed a blind assessment of blood pressure in 157 randomised patients, 9 to 18 months after discharge. In statistical analysis, the chi-square test was used to compare proportions and the Student's t test to compare means. RESULTS: Both groups were predominantly male and mean age was similar. The proportion of patients with known hypertension randomised to the SIFUP and the COD did not differ. At the 9 to 18-month assessment there was no statistical significant difference in the proportion of patients with blood pressure under target values (57.5% in SIFUP and 48.5% in COD, p=NS). However, in hypertensive patients, the proportion of controlled patients was significantly higher in the SIFUP than in the COD (44.8% vs. 24.2%, p=0.05) and systolic and mean blood pressure were significantly lower in the SIFUP (respectively 139.0 vs. 148.8 mmHg, p=0.04 and 98.7 vs. 103.9 mmHg, p=0.03); diastolic blood pressure was also lower in SIFUP (78.5 vs. 81.5 mmHg, p=NS). CONCLUSIONS: The SIFUP has shown to be effective in lowering blood pressure in hypertensive coronary patients. The proportion of patients with controlled blood pressure was consistently higher in the SIFUP. |
| Authors | Pedro S Mateus, Nuno Bettencourt, Carla Costa Dias, Lino Santos, Luís Adão, José Roberto, Carlos Mateus, José Ribeiro, João Primo, Lino Simões, Vasco Gama Ribeiro, Henrique Barros
(Affiliation: Cardiology Department, Vila Nova de Gaia Hospital Centre, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.)
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| Journal | Revista portuguesa de cardiologia : orgão oficial da Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia = Portuguese journal of cardiology : an official journal of the Portuguese Society of Cardiology
(Rev Port Cardiol)
Vol. 24
Issue 2
Pg. 223-7
(Feb 2005)
ISSN: 0870-2551 Portugal |
| PMID | 15861904
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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| Topics |
- Coronary Disease
(complications)
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Hypertension
(etiology, prevention & control)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Program Evaluation
- Time Factors
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