The Effect of Follow up on Blood Pressure Control in Hypertensive Patients

Controlling diet to regulate blood pressure in hypertensive patients has always been a challenging issue. On the other hand, insufficient supporting systems, non efficient follow-up programs, patients inability to do treatment measures in relapsing period, insufficient following of diet and drug taking, unplanned discharge and poor knowledge of risk factors are among controllable factor that lead to the readmission of the patients. The aim of this study is determining the effect of follow up on blood pressure control in hypertentive patients. In this interventional study, hypertensive patients referring to emergency ward were randomly divided into two case groups (100 patients) and two control groups (100 patients). After collecting data, case group patients were trained in their homes about the role of nutrition, mobility and regular drug use in blood pressure control for 3 months. Then, blood pressure in case and control groups was controlled and mean blood pressure in two groups was compared. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS software using descriptive and analytical statistics. 55.4 % of the case and 54.3% controls had family history of blood pressure. Before intervention mean BMI in case and control group was 26.8±5.56 and 28.04±14.66 and after intervention it was 25.96±5.38 and 27.61±14.29 respectively. Before follow up program was implemented, 39.13% of the cases and 35.87% of the controls had regular drug use history. After follow-up this rose to 44.6% and 42.4% respectively. After follow-up program 22.83% of the cases and 17.39% of the controls had referred to emergency ward or a physician once in 3 months. After intervention program, mean systolic blood pressure in cases and controls were 133 and 153 mmHg respectively and this difference was statistically meaningful (P<0.001). After follow-up, systolic blood pressure control in case and control groups was 59.8% and 35.9% respectively and this difference was meaningful (P<0.001). Results showed that after training program and home follow-up, blood pressure and weight control were more in case group, than control group, Therefore, we suggest that patient training programs and follow up and home follow-up be used as an effective way in hypertensive patient's health care and their treatment.