Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is widely used among patients with hypertension. This study aimed to determine the use of CAM in community-dwelling individuals with hypertension. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was administered to 318 hypertension patients to examine prevalence and patterns of CAM use; the use of CAM, specifically for treatment of hypertension or other conditions, and perceived effectiveness of CAM were examined. CAM use in the last 12 months was reported by 236 (74.2%) participants. Only 13.1% of these CAM users reported using CAM to treat hypertension. CAM users did not differ statistically from non-CAM users by age, marital status, health status, duration of hypertension, income, or education. Females showed a significantly higher prevalence of CAM use than that of males (OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.09, 3.11). Family/relatives, doctors, and patients themselves were the three main sources of information about CAM. More than 70% of responses were able to perceive the effectiveness of alternative medical systems, mind-body medicine, and manipulative/body-based therapies. There was a high prevalence of CAM use among hypertension patients, although the majority of CAM use was not specifically for hypertension. Further research is needed to assess the safety and efficacy of diverse CAM. 1. Background Hypertension is a major public health challenge worldwide because of its high prevalence and concomitant risks of cardiovascular disease [1, 2]. The prevalence of hypertension in China has been rising rapidly during the last 30 years. Recent studies revealed the prevalence of hypertension in people aged 35 and older may reach 30% or more, while the societal response is fragmented with low levels of awareness, treatment, and control [3, 4]. Self-care plays an important role in the management of blood pressure, as recommended by the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC7) [5]. In recent years, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) as a form of self-care has been a growing area of health care, especially in developed countries [6, 7]. The use of CAM has increased significantly in Australia, UK, and the USA over the past decade [8–11]. Some studies have shown a higher prevalence of CAM use among women, persons with greater wealth and higher educational status, and patients with chronic disease [12–15]. Various forms of CAM are available in China, such as tai Chi, qigong, traditional Chinese medicine, and acupuncture. These CAMs are widely used by Chinese to promote
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