| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2023 | Volume
: 11
| Issue : 1 | Page : 19-27 |
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Hypertension clinical care in the era of coronavirus disease 2019: Practical insights from India
Mangesh Tiwaskar1, Prabhakar C Koregol2, Hari Hara Krishnan3, Dinesh Agarwal4, Omer Hasan5, Mahesh Abhyankar6, Santosh Revankar6, Neeraj Kumar6
1 Shilpa Medical Research Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
2 Fortis Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
3 Subam Heart and Diabetes Care, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
4 Marwari Hospitals, Guwahati, Assam, India
5 Allahabad Heart Center, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
6 Scientific Services, USV Private Limited, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Correspondence Address:
Santosh Revankar
Scientific Services, USV Private Limited, Mumbai, Maharashtra
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/heartindia.heartindia_1_23
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Objective: The objective of this study was to seek the opinion of Indian health-care professionals (HCPs) about hypertension (HTN) care during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) era.
Methods: HCPs' opinions (n = 2832) were recorded based on survey and round table meetings. Standard questionnaire consisting of nine questions pertaining to HTN care in COVID-19 was prepared, discussed, and evaluated by experts who treat patients with HTN during COVID-19 era.
Results: Smoking/tobacco use, obesity, and comorbidities (diabetes/dyslipidemia) were ranked as the top three modifiable risk factors. A total of 37% and 33% of HCPs reported an increase in blood pressure (BP) during the lockdown period in 10%–20% and 20%–40% of hypertensive patients, respectively, who were on monotherapy. Around 35% of HCPs reported that 20%–30% of their patients with HTN showed uncontrolled BP (>150/100 mmHg). Dual-drug therapy in patients with uncontrolled BP was preferred by 56% of HCPs. Nearly 71% preferred dual combination for HTN management. In dual combination, 27% preferred angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) + diuretic, 26% preferred ARB + calcium channel blockers, and 18% preferred ARB + beta-blockers. The majority of HCPs (44%) consider that <30% of their patients with HTN check BP at home. A total of 47% of HCPs reported acute coronary syndrome as the most common HTN-related complication. The majority of HCPs (57%) considered that avoiding contamination during BP measurement is the challenging parameter. Around 32% considered self-BP monitoring (SBPM) as the best method to improve medication adherence.
Conclusion: SBPM, combination therapies, and digital connect with patients are critical aspects of HTN management during COVID-19 pandemic.
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