High blood pressure in young adults likely to go undiagnosed
Abstract 16557 - Embargoed until 8 a.m. PT /11 a.m. ET
November 06, 2012
This news release is featured in a news conference at 8 a.m. PT, on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012.
(This release contains updated information from the abstract)
Study Highlights:
- Most young adults with high blood pressure remain undiagnosed after four years of regular doctor’s care.
- Young adults who actively smoked were less likely to receive a diagnosis.
- Family practice doctors were less likely to diagnose high blood pressure in young adults than internal medicine providers.
- Female doctors were more likely to diagnose high blood pressure in this group than other doctors.
American Heart Association Meeting Report:
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 6, 2012 — Adults 18-24 years old with high blood pressure
were 28 percent less likely to be diagnosed during doctor visits than those 60 and older, according to findings presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2012.“These young patients come to the clinic and their blood pressure is recorded,” said Heather Johnson, M.D., lead researcher of the study. “They have high blood pressure, but there’s no documentation of a diagnosis. We wanted to find out why.”
Researchers examined electronic health records of 13,593 men and women who were at least 18 years old. All had visited their doctor at least twice within the previous three years in an outpatient, non-urgent care setting, and had multiple elevated blood pressures that met guideline criteria for a hypertension diagnosis.
Yet, after four years of visiting their doctors and accounting for other factors:
- 67 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds remained undiagnosed compared to 54 percent of people 60 and older.
- 65 percent of 25- to 31-year-olds were undiagnosed.
- 59 percent of 32- to 39-year-olds were still living with undiagnosed high blood pressure.
Furthermore, young adults were less likely to be diagnosed if they actively smoked and if they had a mild stage of hypertension, said Johnson, an assistant professor of medicine in the division of cardiology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison.
Conversely, a high blood pressure diagnosis was more likely for minorities, young adults with diabetes, severe high blood pressure, and who made more clinic visits to primary care and specialty providers.
Family practice physicians were less likely to diagnose high blood pressure than Internal Medicine physicians; however, female doctors were more likely to diagnose high blood pressure in young adults.
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke. While more prevalent in older Americans, about 29 percent of all U.S. adults have hypertension, according to American Heart Association statistics. About 11 percent of men and 7 percent of women 20-34 years old have high blood pressure.
“We know that once high blood pressure is diagnosed and young adults receive the treatment they need, they can achieve pretty high control rates,” Johnson said.
Because researchers examined patient records from a large academic group practice in the Midwest, some of the predictors may vary among different healthcare systems and geographic regions, Johnson said.
Nevertheless, multiple factors must change. “Patient factors play a role, provider factors play a role, along with the healthcare system,” she said. “You can’t blame one component. They all must work together to diagnose and manage high blood pressure in young patients.”
Johnson said she hopes the findings will “guide both patient and provider to make elevated blood pressure one of the key things to focus on during the visit.”
Co-authors are: Carolyn Thorpe, Ph.D.; Christie Bartels, M.D.; Nancy Pandhi, M.D.; Ann Sheehy, M.D.; and Maureen Smith, M.D., Ph.D. Author disclosures are on the abstract.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute funded the study.
Follow news from the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2012 via Twitter: @HeartNews
.Statements and conclusions of study authors that are presented at American Heart Association scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect association policy or position. The association makes no representation or warranty as to their accuracy or reliability. The association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific association programs and events. The association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and device corporations are available at www.heart.org/corporatefunding.
###
Note: Actual presentation is 3 p.m. PT Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012 in Kentia Hall.
All downloadable video/audio interviews, B-roll, animation and images related to this news release are on the right column of the release link at http://newsroom.heart.org/pr/aha/_prv-high-blood-pressure-in-young-adults-239567.aspx.
Video clips with researchers/authors of studies will be added to the release links after embargo.
For Media Inquiries:
AHA News Media in Dallas: (214) 706-1173
AHA News Media Office, Nov. 3-7
at the Los Angeles Convention Center: (213) 743-6205
For Public Inquiries: (800) AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org
and strokeassociation.org
.png)
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario