Original article

Despite the high prevalence of hypertension, its control rates (blood pressure (BP) < 140/90 mm Hg among treated hyper-tensives) are poor, even in the developed world.1 The reason for inadequate hypertension control is somewhat unclear because the prevalence of true resistant hypertension among adults with hypertension is estimated to be 9%.2 Modern physicians have a multitude of tools at their dis-posal to increase hypertension control. A plethora of evi-dence has been provided recently confirming the significant effects of a multicomponent lifestyle intervention on BP.3–6 In addition, home BP measurement and combination therapy with drugs tailored on an individual basis have been shown to result in improved adherence to treatment and control of hypertension.7–10 Why are the results of these trials not being translated into everyday clinical practice? One reason could be that motivated research physicians working in tightly con-trolled academic settings have performed the previously cited interventions. This setting, however, does not reflect reality because the majority of patients with hypertension are treated in the primary care setting by family practitioners and nurses. The objective of our study was to determine the feasibility of a comprehensive intervention on hypertension control in a primary care setting through optimization of antihyper-tensive drug therapy, introduction of home BP monitoring, and lifestyle guidance, with family practitioners and nurses serving as the interventionists