Patient Adherence and Treatment Intensification in Hypertension Management

Many patients with coronary artery disease who are receiving medical treatment for hypertension do not respond adequately to treatment. To study the effects of treatment intensification and patient nonadherence to drug regimens on blood-pressure control in this population, investigators analyzed data from a large, nonprofit, managed healthcare organization in Colorado.

Of a total of 10,447 patients with CAD who were treated for hypertension and for whom at least 12 continuous months of follow-up data were available, the investigators identified 5.3% with persistently high blood pressure over time. The mean systolic blood pressure in this group was 154 mm Hg at the initial visit and 152 mm Hg at the end of the study period. Just over 30% of t…