HYPERTENSION

THE ICE BERG

Abstract

Objectives: To assess awareness about Hypertension among patients. Study
design: Cross-sectional Survey. Setting: Medical OPD at Rawal General Hospital, Islamabad.
Period: Three months from 1st April to 30th June. Materials and Methods: A total of 150 male,
female patients attending Medical Out Patient Department at Rawal General Hospital Islamabad
were assessed regarding awareness about Hypertension using a self-constructed mixed
questionnaire (In English and Urdu). Results: Following findings were observed among patients
attending RGH, Islamabad: 82% of patients found to have family history of HTN, while 13%
responded negative. 5% of the patients were unaware. 33% of patients found to have diabetes
mellitus, while 29% responded negative and 38% of the patients were unaware of having or not.
Hypertensive population found to be 51%. 45% found to adhering to anti-hypertensive treatment,
while 55% responded negative. 80.6%, 90%, 73%, 82% and 85% considered the obesity, lack
of exercise, cigarette smoking, anxiety and high cholesterol respectively as causative factor of
HTN. Excessive intake of salt was considered by 84% as causative factor of HTN. About 82%
considered DM as causative factor of HTN. 79%, 73%, 93%, 55% of the patients considered the
cardiac disease, renal failure, brain hemorrhage and loss vision respectively as complication
of HTN. 80%, 90%, 73%, 27% consider the regular exercise, reduced salt intake, no smoking,
keeping weight under control respectively as preventive measures of HTN. About half and more
than half of the respondents considered frequent use of vegetables, excessive intake of sweets,
as preventive measures of hypertension. Conclusions: The assessment of awareness about
Hypertension among population of various areas can be beneficial in effective planning for
disease prevention and control.