A regional survey on the physician awareness & practices for the management of hypertension and prevention of stroke

Introduction: Approximately 54% of strokes are attributed to high blood pressure. A survey was conducted to assess the awareness and practices of physicians for hypertension & stroke. Methods: A questionnaire based survey was conducted during ICMF in Sri Lanka by Getz Pharma (Nov 2013). Of the total 100 forms, 68 were returned by physicians from S.Asia, S.E.Asia & Africa. The data was analyzed by SPSS v.20. Results: The ages of 46 (67.6%) delegates were ≥ 46 whereas remaining were \u3c 46 years. M:F were 4:1. The specialty included 31 (45.6%) internists/medicine, 24 (35.3%) cardiologists and 13 (19.1%) endocrinologists/diabetologists with 59 (79.7%) having \u3e10 years of practicing experience. In daily practice, 27 (39.7%) physicians dealt with50%. Those who agreed on hypertension as the single most important risk factor for stroke were 40 (59%), 42 (61.8%) suggested stroke as the most preventable hypertension related cardiovascular event, 25 (36.8%) IHD, 8 (11.8%) kidney disease and 3 (4.4%) multiple preventable events. Quality of life having a direct impact on CVD due to overweight was believed by 57 (83.8%). The most reported risk factors in hypertensive patients with CAD were diabetes 45 (66.2%), dyslipidemia 38 (55.8%), smoking 34 (50%), family history of CVD 12 (17.7%), age 8 (11.8%), gender 3 (4.4%) and 14 (20.6%) considered all of them as risk factors. The preferred antihypertensive agents were; 34 (50%) ACE inhibitors, 28 (41.2%) ARBs, 15 (22.1%) Ca++ Channel Blockers, 2 (2.9%) each of Thiazide diuretics & Beta Blockers and 3 (4.4%) preferred all of the drugs. Sixty two (91%) physicians believed antihypertensives lowered stroke risk by 22%. Conclusion: The survey projects a varying level of awareness in physicians from the aforementioned regions on risk factors and treatment for hypertension & stroke. Keywords: Hypertension, Stroke, ICMF, Surve