Blood Pressure Control during Hospitalization at the Department of Medicine

• Main Authors: Marc Murinson (Author), Brandon Roth (Author), Ehud Grosman (Author), Dror Dicker (Author), Avishay Elis (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Archives of Clinical Hypertension - Peertechz Publications, 2015-09-04.
• Subjects: Research Article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

<p><strong>Introduction:</strong> Hypertension control has been shown to decrease morbidity and mortality. However, it is unclear whether it is worthwhile to control blood pressure (BP) in the inpatient setting. The aim of the study was to determine physicians' attitude towards the management and control of hypertension during hospitalization at internal medicine departments.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> Physicians working in general medical wards were asked to answer a questionnaire regarding their views of various aspects of hypertension control and management during hospitalization in general medical wards.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> One hundred twenty-seven physicians responded, 58 (46%) of them estimated that 50% of their inpatients have a diagnosis of hypertension. The majority of the respondents (71, 56%) believe that high BP should not be balanced during hospitalizations. According to the physicians report most of the BP measurements were done by nurses (81%) or by non-certified staff (17%). In most of the cases, the arm where BP was measured was not recorded (81%), and measurements in both supine and standing positions were not accomplished (in <10% of the cases according to 50% of respondents). In most of the departments (70%) there are no specific guidelines for the treatment of hypertension. Two thirds of the physicians do not recommend anti hypertensive combination medications.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Many patients who are hospitalized at internal medicine departments have hypertension, but there is a lack of uniformity with regard to these patients' BP measurements and treatment. The approach to BP management in internal medicine departments should be elucidated.</p>