Impact of Non-compliance with Antihypertensive Management on Development of Stroke among Hypertensive Patients: A Case–Control Study

Abstract

IntroductIon Hypertension is the most important risk factor for worldwide morbidity and mortality and a major public health problem which affects 20% of the adult population, responsible for over 70% of stroke in women and 40% in men and the single most important persuasive threat issue for stroke. [1-4] Hypertension is one of the major mainsprings which contributes to disability, health care costs, and stroke mortality [5,6] and one of the major but preventable or controllable risk factors for stroke. Low adherence to antihypertensive therapy is found to be associated with uncontrollable hypertension. [7] The most common neurological disease "Stroke" is not a medical jargon for the layman in the present scenario. Being the second cause of death due to non-communicable disease, stroke is a major health problem in many countries. [8-10] Stroke, a feasible outcome of hypertension, often leads to death and Introduction: Hypertension and stroke are two major health problems in India. Uncontrolled hypertension increases the chances of development of stroke. The main reason for inadequate control of blood pressure is non-compliance to the treatment regimen; both pharmacological and behavioral. The aim and objective of the study were to assess the relationship between non-compliance to antihypertensive management and development of stroke. It was also aimed to identify non-compliance among patients with hypertension.