Better Health, Brighter Future
Deerfield, Ill., and Dallas, TX, January 26, 2011 – According to a new online survey conducted by Mended Hearts and Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc., patients’ attitudes and physicians’ perceptions regarding uncontrolled hypertension don’t always align in the areas of patient motivation, commitment and involvement. This new survey, titled CONTROL Hypertension (Consequences of Not Taking Control of Hypertension), was conducted among 1,054 adult patients with hypertension (ages 18 and older) and 457 physicians, including 253 primary care physicians (PCPs) and 204 cardiologists.
The survey found that nearly three-fourths (73 percent) of the 507 patients whose self-reported blood pressure indicated uncontrolled hypertension feel very motivated to control their condition. Specifically, 96 percent feel very motivated to take their medication as prescribed and 65 percent feel very motivated to make changes to diet and exercise habits. The results from the survey of PCPs, however, reveal some doubts about the motivation of their patients with uncontrolled hypertension. Primary care physicians report, on average, that 65 percent of their patients with uncontrolled hypertension are motivated to comply with their medication regimen, and feel that even fewer of their patients with uncontrolled hypertension (34 percent, on average) are motivated to make lifestyle changes to their diet and exercise habits.
“Controlling hypertension remains a serious issue, and recent research from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2008 (NHANES) indicates that an estimated half of patients are not achieving control,” said Tim Elsner, executive director, Mended Hearts. “As an organization committed to supporting patients, Mended Hearts felt it was important to partner with Takeda to examine possible contributing factors. Our goal is to develop future programming designed to address key issues identified by the survey.”
Patient Commitment and Involvement
The survey found differing opinions among patients and physicians in several areas regarding patient commitment, including their involvement and follow-up. Consider the following:
“An important takeaway from these survey findings is that in order to make progress in controlling hypertension, there is a responsibility on the part of both physicians and patients,” said Michael J. Bloch, M.D., clinical hypertension specialist at the University of Nevada School of Medicine. “Patient commitment and involvement is critical to managing hypertension outside of the office, but the survey demonstrates the need for physicians to work hand-in-hand with their patients to help motivate them to reach and maintain their blood pressure goals.”
Treatment Challenges
Hypertension is a chronic condition and requires a long-term commitment to regular blood pressure monitoring, lifestyle modifications and medication adherence. According to the survey, almost all patients (91 percent) with uncontrolled hypertension say they are very successful in adhering to their medication. Of physicians surveyed, 67 percent cite poor patient compliance as one of the top three barriers to hypertension control. Among patients with uncontrolled hypertension, the top challenges to controlling their hypertension include managing sodium intake, diet and stress levels, as well as making lifestyle changes and finding the right medication. For physicians, the top three barriers to hypertension control among treated patients are poor patient compliance, unwillingness to make lifestyle changes and affordability.
About Hypertension
High blood pressure, or hypertension, impacts approximately 75 million Americans and is the second-leading preventable risk factor for death in the U.S. Hypertension is defined as elevated blood pressure 140 mm Hg or greater systolic or 90 mm Hg or greater diastolic. Approximately 56 percent of all hypertension patients, or approximately 42 million Americans, still have uncontrolled hypertension . Hypertension can lead to serious or fatal health problems. High blood pressure often has no warning signs or symptoms, and many people don't realize they have it. People of all ages and backgrounds can develop hypertension, and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recommends that blood pressure should be checked every two years and that people with hypertension should check their blood pressure levels several times a year.
About the Survey
The CONTROL Hypertension (Consequences of Not Taking Control of Hypertension) Survey was conducted from October 25 to November 11, 2010 by Mended Hearts and Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. Data for the survey were collected online by Richard Day Research, a national health care research firm. The sample included 1,054 adults (ages 18 and older) diagnosed with hypertension who were currently under the care of a physician and taking hypertension medication, and 457 health care professionals—comprised of 253 PCPs and 204 cardiologists.
The non-random sample of patients with hypertension was recruited from an independent online panel of adults with hypertension. The non-random sample of PCPs and cardiologists was recruited via e-mail and telephone from independent national physician databases.
Sample stratification and weights were employed to ensure the patient sample reflected the gender, age, race and income of this population based on data from the NHANES.
For more information on the results from the survey, visit www.mendedhearts.org.
About Mended Hearts
Mended Hearts is a community-based, nationwide heart patient support network founded in 1951. More than 17,000 members operate through 300 chapters and satellite organizations across the United States, with two chapters in Canada. Recognized for its role in facilitating a positive patient-care experience, Mended Hearts partners with 460 hospitals and rehabilitation clinics offering heart patient support through visiting programs, group meetings and educational forums. For more information visit www.mendedhearts.org, email [email protected], or call 1-888-HEART99 (1-888-432-7899).
Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. and Takeda Global Research & Development Center, Inc.
Based in Deerfield, Ill., Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. and Takeda Global Research & Development Center, Inc. are subsidiaries of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, the largest pharmaceutical company in Japan . The respective companies currently market oral diabetes, insomnia, rheumatology and gastroenterology treatments and seek to bring innovative products to patients through a pipeline that includes compounds in development for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, gastroenterology, neurology and other conditions. To learn more about these Takeda companies, visit www.tpna.com.
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Contacts:
Elissa J. Johnsen
Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America
224-554-3185
[email protected]
Krystal Loewe
GolinHarris
312-729-4453
[email protected]