Patients’ knowledge and beliefs of high blood pressure: questionnaire for health care professionals

Abstract

Background Raised BP (blood pressure) was estimated to cause 7.5 million deaths a year, 12.8% of all deaths worldwide. Mortality from cardiovascular disease is 54% in Lithuania. Knowledge and beliefs of hypertension have direct influence on BP control ant the goal is to improve it. First step is to identify the most common beliefs and knowledge discrepancies. Methods Questionnaire was build. Health care professionals’ pharmacists, nurses and physicians were asked to give the statements they’ve heard from hypertensive patients. Statements were grouped by range: BP and lifestyle, antihypertensive medication use, patient’s BP goal and BP-related complications. Work experience in health care system in years was asked. Results Responses from 13 physicians, 6 nurses and 39 pharmacists were collected. Average experience in health care was 13,8 years. 43 statements on BP and life style were stated, most common “I know that I have to follow healthy lifestyle, but I can’t do that” and “Lifestyle has no impact”. 50 on medication use were reported, mostly stated “I don’t need to take medication, when my BP is normal” and “I don’t take medication, when I take alcohol”. 48 statements on BP goals were collected, mostly stated “It’s normal to have an elevated BP in older age” and “My BP goal is under 160/90mmHg”. 38 statements on BP-related complications were collected, patients were aware of complications and believed aspirin is enough for prevention. Conclusion Hypertensive patients have some knowledge and a range of believes about BP. Further statement evaluation by patients and validation with clinical data is needed.