Untreated, Uncontrolled, and Apparent Resistant Hypertension: Results of the German Health Examination Survey 2008–2011

Abstract

The prevalence and associated factors of untreated, uncontrolled, and apparent-resistant hypertension (RH) in Germany are unknown. Based on European Society of Hypertension criteria, apparent RH was defined as blood pressure (BP) ≥140/90 mm Hg (≥140/85 mm Hg in diabetics) under treatment with three different classes of antihypertensive agents including a diuretic. Data from the German Health Examination Survey (2008–2011; n=7115, age 18–79 years) including standardized BP measurements and Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical–coded taken medications were analyzed. Among patients aware of their hypertensive status (n=2205), 37.9% were uncontrolled and, among those, 33.4% were untreated. Being aware and having untreated and uncontrolled BP was associated with male sex, young age, not having cardiovascular disease, not performing BP self-measurement, not being obese, and not smoking. Apparent RH occurred in 6.8% of treated aware hypertensive patients and was positively associated with having diabetes. The proportion of uncontrolled BP is still high. Not having “obvious risk factors” has become a risk itself for having untreated and uncontrolled hypertension.