Patients′ blood pressure knowledge, perceptions and monitoring practices in community pharmacies

hypertension is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. despite this, patients often cannot or inaccurately estimate their risk factors. objectives: in order to improve pharmacist interventions, we sought to: 1) find out patients′ knowledge about blood pressure (bp) and their self- monitoring behaviors and 2) identify the relationships between these two elements. specifically, if evaluation of bp control were related to knowledge of one′s bp level and self-monitoring habits, and if knowledge of one′s target and bp level varied with monitoring habits. methods: final year pharmacy students were trained and interviewed patients in community pharmacies as a required exercise in their pharmacy clerkship. each student recruited a convenience sample of 5-10 patients who were on hypertension medication, and surveyed them regarding their bp targets, recent bp levels as well as monthly and home bp monitoring practices. results: one third of the 449 patients interviewed were able to report a blood pressure target with 26% reporting a jnc 7 recognized target. three quarters of patients who reported a blood pressure target were able to report a blood pressure level, with 12% being at their self- reported target. roughly two thirds of patients perceived their bp to be "about right", and slightly less than a third thought it to be "high". sixty percent of patients monitor their bp monthly, but less than 50% of patients practice home bp monitoring. conclusions: this study along with others before it point to the knowledge and self-management gaps in patients with chronic conditions. furthermore, pharmacy students were able to use a brief intervention to screen patients during routine care. pharmacists can help improve patient understanding and promote increased self-management through regular bp monitoring.