Narrowing the gap in hypertension: Effectiveness of a complex antihypertensive program in the elderly

FIGAR, SILVANA; WAISMAN, GABRIEL; DE QUIROS, FERNAN GONZALEZ BERNALDO; GALARZA, CARLOS; MARCHETTI, MARCELO; LORIA, GABRIELA RODRÍGUEZ; CAMERA, LUIS; SEINHART, DANIEL; CAMERA, MARIO

Disease Management

ISSUE

Año: 2004 vol. 7 p. 235 - 243

Hypertension control is a difficult goal to achieve in common practice even when its benefits have been widely proved. We assessed the effectiveness of a Complex Antihypertensive Intervention Program in the Elderly (CAPE). A program trial of 500 elderly hypertensive patients was conducted. 250 were followed by primary care physicians and intervened by the CAPE and 250 received usual care. The program included an organizational change with the addition of an office where patients had their blood pressure measured, were appointed to join educational sessions and received verbal and printed advice before medical attendance. Data was systematically recorded in the electronic medical record which functioned as a physician reminder during the visit. Differences in systolic blood pressure level and in percentage of well-controlled (