Relationship between Disease Awareness and Frequency of Measurement Using Home Sphygmomanometer in Patients Receiving Depressors

Since early morning hypertension is closely related to cardiovascular risks,the regular measurement of blood pressure is very important.In the present study,we performed a questionnaire survey of 443 patients taking depressors regarding possession of a home sphygmomanometer,explanation received when it was purchased,status of its use,and awareness of hypertension.The survey was performed at the time medicines were administered by pharmacists in the outpatient department.Of the patients surveyed,330 had a home sphygmomanometer,but only about 33% of them used it on a daily basis.Evaluation by the F test suggested that the patients who used a home sphygmomanometer daily were well informed about hypertension,while those who rarely used it knew less about hypertension.This suggests that the frequency of blood pressure measurement using a home sphygmomanometer varies with the amount of knowledge of the disease,and that it is important make patients receiving depressors more aware of the disease they have.