Use of physician-recommended non-pharmacological strategies for hypertension control among hypertensive patients

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the 4 non- pharmacological strategies adopted by patients for hypertension control and patient characteristics that affect the choice of strategies. Four thousand hypertensive patients aged ???18 years were selected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Odds ratios of the choice of strategies were analyzed using weighted logistic models. Clinical recommendations of non- pharmacological strategies for hypertension control were relatively low. More exercise was the least frequent strategy used for hypertension control. More patients reported using ???3 strategies than using ???2 strategies (79.1% vs 20.9%, P < .0001). Non- Hispanic blacks were more likely to use each individual strategy and to use ???3 strategies simultaneously. Patients with obesity and diabetes were less likely to attempt weight control or more exercise, but more likely to use ???3 strategies than peers. Educational programs should be developed to enhance physician’s advice for lifestyle modifications and to increase patient’s acceptance of physical activity.

Publication
Journal of Clinical Hypertension, 20(3)