Evaluation of awareness, treatment and drug consumption in hypertensives

Background: Proper treatment of hypertension is important due to its high prevalence and severe complications. Objective: To determine the degree of awareness, treatment, drug consumption and control of hypertension. Methods: 236 inhabitants of Qazvin who were above 20 years of age and were considered as hypertensive according to JNC-V criteria, were randomly and regionally selected and studied. Findings: According to the severity of the disease 12 cases had normotension, 148 mild, 40 moderate, 32 severe and 4 very severe hypertension. Among these patients, 85 cases (36%) were aware of their condition in which 68 (29%) consumed anti-hypertensive drugs. 40 (17%) cases consumed drugs regularly and 12 (5%) had normotension. 151 (64%) were not aware of their condition and 17 (7%) were aware of their condition but did not consume any drugs. Conclusion: Only 5% of the patients were aware of their condition, consumed drugs regularly and had normotension. This is a very low percentage and medical universities should strive more to increase the degree of awareness of the people and provide educational programs.