Hypertension Management and Factors Associated with Blood Pressure Control in Jordanian Patients Attending Cardiology Clinic

Purpose: To assess modifiable clusters of cardiovascular risk factors and patterns of antihypertensive drugs use as well as identify clinical characteristics associated with blood pressure control in Jordanians.
Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in cardiology outpatient clinics at two hospitals in Amman, Jordan. Outcomes studied were prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, patterns of antihypertensive medication use, rate of blood pressure control and factors associated with such control.
Results: The number of concomitant medical conditions was high: diabetes mellitus (51 %), dyslipidemia (82 %), coronary artery disease (71 %), history of acute coronary syndrome (37 %) or coronary revascularization (64 %). Hypertension was controlled in 44 % of patients. Average number of antihypertensive medications was 2.38 ± 1.21. The most commonly prescribed monotherapy medications were beta-blockers (48 %), followed by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) with 28 % and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) with 23 %. Among all patients, beta-blockers (67 %) were also the most prescribed, followed by ACEIs (47 %) and ARBs (41%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed inverse association between BP control and the presence of diabetes mellitus.
Conclusion: There is inadequate cardiovascular risk assessment and control of blood pressure in hypertensive patients in Jordan. Several practical measures need to be taken urgently to mitigate these deficiencies.

Keywords
Hypertension management; Blood pressure control; Cardiology clinic; Cardiovascular risk factors; Antihypertensive medications