Who Has Hypertension?: Medicinenet Health Research Survey Report

Who Has Hypertension?
/ Survey Results
MedicineNet Health Research Survey Report
Who Has Hypertension?

Survey Results
Prepared by MedicineNet.com
June 2005
All Rights Reserved
http://www.medicinenet.com/hypertension_survey_results/article.htm
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Copyright 2005 by MedicineNet.com
Who Has Hypertension? / Survey Results
Page 2
Table of Contents
Table of Contents................................................................................................................ 2
Health Research Survey Reports ........................................................................................ 4
Executive Summary ............................................................................................................ 5
Methodology ....................................................................................................................... 6
THE SURVEY POPULATION...................................................................................... 6
Findings............................................................................................................................... 8
AGE AND HYPERTENSION ....................................................................................... 8
PREVALENCE OF RISK FACTORS ........................................................................... 9
TREATMENT OPTIONS ............................................................................................ 10
MEDICATIONS ........................................................................................................... 11
PATIENT COMPLIANCE........................................................................................... 12
Conclusions....................................................................................................................... 13
MedicineNet.com Additional Resources ....................................................................... 14

Page 3
Notice To Readers
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Page 4
Health Research Survey Reports
MedicineNet produces original medical market research reports on consumer opinions to

help explore important health and medical topics. Survey data is collected by polling our
readers visiting MedicineNet.com. You may use information in this report as long as you
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For a complete list of MedicineNet Health Research Survey Reports, visit:
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Page 5
Executive Summary
According to recent estimates, nearly one in three U.S. adults has high blood pressure
(hypertension). High blood pressure killed 49,707 Americans in 2002. It was listed as a
primary or contributing cause of death in about 261,000 U.S. deaths in 2002. However,
high blood pressure is called the silent killer, because nearly one-third of those people
with hypertension don't know they have it. Many adults develop high blood pressure after
the age of 50. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack or kidney
failure.
Although its underlying causes are mostly unknown, high blood pressure is easily
detected. However, once diagnosed, it cannot be cured; it can only be controlled. For
many patients this means consistent monitoring and modifying of previous behaviors and
lifestyle habits associated with high blood pressure. Overweight, high cholesterol,
tobacco and alcohol use, salt-heavy diet and low exercise have been found to contribute
to high blood pressure. To control hypertension, patients must be vigilant regarding these
aspects of behavior and lifestyle for the remainder of their lives.
For many patients lifestyle modification alone will not reduce blood pressure to normal
ranges. These patients must take medication to regulate their blood pressure. A number of
medications are available, but patients must continue to take these drugs for the
remainder of their lives or face the consequences of untreated high blood pressure. As
with any long term disease process, patient compliance is essential for long term positive
outcomes.
This MedicineNet.com survey, delivered anonymously, probes consumer attributes and
activities related to high blood pressure and its treatment in the following area:
.
What types of information are health consumers seeking?
How old is the population with hypertension and what risk factors are present?
What treatment options and medications have physicians recommended?
What medications are hypertensive patients using?
What is the level of patient compliance with the treatment plan?
This survey was conducted between April 25, 2005 and April 29, 2005. The data reflects
the opinions of a self-identified panel of 929 individuals visiting MedicineNet.com who
indicated a personal interest in high blood pressure (hypertension).
Section: Executive Summary, Hypertension Health Report

Page 6
Methodology
MedicineNet.com used a seven-question pop-up online survey to query 929 individuals
responding to the question: Do you or someone you care about have high blood pressure
(hypertension)? There were 629 respondents of the total survey population, who
indicated that they personally have high blood pressure (hypertension). The results
reported in this study focus on the segment of the survey population who indicated that
they suffered from hypertension. All were visitors to the blood pressure content of the
MedicineNet.com site. Responses were completely anonymous, and no visitor received
the survey more than once, so the aggregated results represent unique individual
respondents.
THE SURVEY POPULATION
Survey respondents (929 individuals) included those who suffer from high blood pressure
(hypertension), their family members and those who are interested in learning more about
hypertension. A portion of the sample did not answer this question. Among survey
respondents 68% indicated that they suffer from hypertension. Family members of
hypertension sufferers represented 21% of the surveyed population. Respondents
interested in hypertension were 10% of the surveyed population. 2% of the survey
population did not indicate why they are interested in hypertension but completed the
survey (See Figure 1: Survey Respondents and Hypertension).
Figure 1: Survey Respondents and Hypertension
n=929
10%
2%
21%
68%
Hypertension (HBP) Patient - 68%
Family Member with HBP - 21%
Interested in HBP - 10%
Did Not Answer - 2%
Section: Survey Methodology, Hypertension Health Report

Page 7
Survey respondents were asked to identify what type of information about hypertension is
of interest to them. The choices included general information, information about how
hypertension is diagnosed, available treatment options or information on specific
medications. The 620 respondents with hypertension were most interested in getting more
information on hypertension (53%) and information on treatment options (25%). 24%
wanted information on specific medications used to treat hypertension and 19% wanted
information on how hypertension is diagnosed. A portion (8%) did not specify their
interests (See Figure 2: Information Sought Online by Hypertension Sufferers).
Figure 2: Information Sought Online by Hypertension Sufferers
n=620
8%
19%
53%
24%
25%
General Information - 53%
Hypertension Treatment Options - 25%
HBP Medications - 24%
How HBP is Diagnosed - 19%
No Specific Interest Given - 8%
Section: Survey Methodology, Hypertension Health Report

Page 8
Findings
The survey investigated five areas of interest: the age of hypertension sufferers, the
presence of risk factors, lifestyle changes recommended for treatment, the use of specific
medications for treatment and patient compliance with taking recommended medication.
AGE AND HYPERTENSION
Hypertension is most prevalent among those over 50 years old; however, the prevalence
of hypertension in the sub-50 year old population is increasing. The increase in obesity
and sedentary lifestyles within the overall population are contributing to these increases.
Among survey respondents indicating that they have high blood pressure, 53% are 50
years or older, 26% are in their 40s, 15% are in their 30s and 5% are less than 30 years
old. Figure 3: Age and Incidence of High Blood Pressure suggests that consumers should
not consider high blood pressure an affliction of advancing years but need to be
conscious of their blood pressure in their 30s and 40s.
Figure 3: Age and Incidence of High Blood Pressure
n=627
4%
1%
15%
53%
26%
50 years or older - 53%
40-49 years old - 26%
20-29 years old - 4%
<20 years old - 1%
30-39 years old - 15%
Section: Findings, Hypertension Health Report

Page 9
PREVALENCE OF RISK FACTORS

Although the underlying causes of hypertension are largely unknown, lifestyle and
heredity play a significant role in determining who will develop high blood pressure. The
survey plumbed these factors by asking respondents to indicate which of the risk factors
they have. As Figure 4: Prevalence of Risk Factors shows, the most common risk factors
reported were having a family history of high blood pressure (54%) and being overweight
(52%). High cholesterol (27%) and an inactive lifestyle (25%), often connected with
obesity, are strong risk factors for high blood pressure. 15% of the survey respondents
smoke, 5% reported having heart disease and 6% reported having diabetes. 13% reported
being African-American, a population with a heightened risk of developing high blood
pressure. The data clearly shows that consumers should heed warnings to monitor and
modulate their blood pressure if they are overweight or have a family history of high
blood pressure.
Figure 4: Prevalence of Risk Factors
n=626
Have Family
History of HBP
54%
52%
Am Overweight
Have High
Cholesterol
27%
Live an Inactive
Lifestyle
25%
15%
Smoke
Am AfricanAmerican
13%
6%
Have Diabetes
Have Heart
Disease
5%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%

Page 10
TREATMENT OPTIONS
There are several options for the treatment of hypertension. They include changes in
lifestyle as well as medication. Many patients with high blood pressure are able to
regulate their hypertension through lifestyle management strategies such as reducing the
salt in their diet, losing weight, quitting smoking, exercising more and reducing their
alcohol intake. For those with high blood pressure who are unable to bring their blood
pressure down, medication is often added to their treatment regimen. Figure 5: Lifestyle
Changes Recommended shows that exercise (56%), weight loss (53%) and reduction of
dietary salt (49%) are recommended most often. Exercise and a reduced calorie diet are
recommended strategies for weight loss. Since obesity was a leading risk factor in the
survey population, these two lifestyle changes are directed at weight management.
Figure 5: Lifestyle Changes Recommended
n=568
Exercise More
56%
Lose Weight
53%
Reduce Salt in
Diet
49%
Quit Smoking
16%
Reduce Alcohol
Intake
11%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%

Page 11
MEDICATIONS
There are a number of medications used for the treatment of hypertension. The options
presented to survey respondents included diuretics (Hydrochlorothiazide, Lasix, Diuril,
etc.), Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors (Capoten, Latensin, Vasotec), II
Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB) such as Atacand, Tevetan, Cozaarm Avapro,
Mycardis, Beta Blockers (Sectral, Tenormin, Lopressor), Calcium Channel Blockers
(Sular, Procardia, Cardene) and herbals. As Figure 6: Medications Used for Treating
Hypertension indicates, diuretics (37%) and Beta Blockers (22%) are used most
frequently. Calcium Channel Blockers (7%) and herbals (7%) are used least often. It
should be noted that 426 of 629 (68%) survey respondents with hypertension are using
medication.
Figure 6: Medications Used for Treating Hypertension
n=426
37%
Diuretics
22%
Beta Blockers
18%
ACE Inhibitors
ARB
15%
Herbals
7%
6%
Calcium Channel Blockers

0%
5%
10% 15%
20% 25% 30%
35% 40%

Page 12
PATIENT COMPLIANCE
Because hypertension is chronic, treatment must be maintained over an extended period
of time. It is not uncommon for patients to relax lifestyle adjustments or stop taking
medications when their symptoms abate. To determine patient compliance, survey
respondents were asked to indicate whether they take their medication: regularly, as
recommended by their physician; fairly regularly, but sometimes forget; not as often as
recommended because medication is expensive and not as often as recommended because
the treatment plan is hard to follow. The survey showed that most patients prescribed
medication (73%) comply with their physicians treatment plans, taking their medication
on a regular basis (See Figure 7: Patient Compliance).
Figure 7: Patient Compliance
n=464
3% 2% 1%
94%
Regularly - 94%
Sometimes Forget - 3%
Too Expensive - 2%
Hard to Follow Plan - 1%

Page 13
Conclusions
The following conclusions can be drawn from this survey:
Those who suffer from high blood pressure continue to seek information on their
condition. 53% of survey participants were looking for general information, as
opposed to information on diagnosis, treatment or medications.
The majority of individuals with high blood pressure are over 50 years old (53%);
however, 26% of respondents with high blood pressure are between 40 and 50
years old. This signals a need for health consumers to begin monitoring their
blood pressure younger.
Family history (49%) and obesity (47%) are the leading risk factors present in the
survey population with high blood pressure. This suggests that health consumers
need to manage their lifestyle to maintain normal blood pressure.
Lifestyle changes can help modulate high blood pressure. Increased exercise
(56%) and weight reduction (53%) are the primary lifestyle changes
recommended by physicians to survey respondents. Physicians also urged
respondents to reduce their salt intake (49%). Reducing obesity is the target of
these recommendations.
Diuretics (37%) and Beta Blockers (22%) are the medications most frequently
prescribed to the survey population.
68% of survey participants with high blood pressure indicated that they used
medication to treat their hypertension.
The survey showed that patients are heeding their physicians warnings about the
dangers of not treating their hypertension. 94% of survey respondents indicated
that they take their medication regularly, as their physicians recommended.
Section: Conclusions, Hypertension Health Report

Page 14
MedicineNet.com Additional Resources

Below are links to additional information available on MedicineNet.com.
The doctor-produced articles on MedicineNet are:
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explain how they make treatment and diagnostic decisions.
Relevant -- doctors select articles and news items that are clinically relevant.
MedicineNet.coms High Blood Pressure Overview

http://www.medicinenet.com/high_blood_pressure/index.htm
MedicineNet.coms High Blood Pressure Main Article
http://www.medicinenet.com/high_blood_pressure/article.htm
MedicineNet Home Page
http://www.medicinenet.com
Diseases and Conditions
http://www.medicinenet.com/diseases_and_conditions/article.htm
Symptoms and Signs
http://www.medicinenet.com/symptoms_and_signs/article.htm
Procedures and Tests
http://www.medicinenet.com/procedures_and_tests/article.htm
Medications (non-prescription and prescription drugs)
http://www.medicinenet.com/medications/article.htm
MedTerms Online Medical Dictionary
http://www.medterms.com
Please pass this Health Report along to your friends and family. For other survey reports,
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Section: MedicineNet.com Additional Resources


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MedicineNet Health Research Survey Report

Who Has Hypertension?

Visit http://www.MedicineNet.com for reliable doctor-produced health and medical information

Who Has Hypertension? / Survey Results

Visit http://www.MedicineNet.com for reliable doctor-produced health and medical information

Who Has Hypertension? / Survey Results

Visit http://www.MedicineNet.com for reliable doctor-produced health and medical information

Who Has Hypertension? / Survey Results

Health Research Survey Reports

MedicineNet produces original medical market research reports on consumer opinions to

Visit http://www.MedicineNet.com for reliable doctor-produced health and medical information

Who Has Hypertension? / Survey Results

Section: Executive Summary, Hypertension Health Report

Who Has Hypertension? / Survey Results

Hypertension (HBP) Patient - 68%

Family Member with HBP - 21%

Interested in HBP - 10%

Did Not Answer - 2%

Section: Survey Methodology, Hypertension Health Report

Who Has Hypertension? / Survey Results

Hypertension Treatment Options - 25%

HBP Medications - 24%

How HBP is Diagnosed - 19%

No Specific Interest Given - 8%

Section: Survey Methodology, Hypertension Health Report

Who Has Hypertension? / Survey Results

50 years or older - 53%

40-49 years old - 26%

20-29 years old - 4%

<20 years old - 1%

30-39 years old - 15%

Section: Findings, Hypertension Health Report

Who Has Hypertension? / Survey Results

PREVALENCE OF RISK FACTORS

Section: Findings, Hypertension Health Report

Who Has Hypertension? / Survey Results

Section: Findings, Hypertension Health Report

Who Has Hypertension? / Survey Results

Calcium Channel Blockers

20% 25% 30%

Section: Findings, Hypertension Health Report

Who Has Hypertension? / Survey Results

Hard to Follow Plan - 1%

Section: Findings, Hypertension Health Report

Who Has Hypertension? / Survey Results

Section: Conclusions, Hypertension Health Report

Who Has Hypertension? / Survey Results

MedicineNet.com Additional Resources

MedicineNet.coms High Blood Pressure Overview

Section: MedicineNet.com Additional Resources

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