Control of hypertension in out-patients. Experience of the Glasgow Blood Pressure Clinic.

Five hundred and sixty-two patients who had attended the Glasgow Blood Pressure Clinic regularly for 3 years between 1969 and 1978 were studied. The mean BPs for the group were 187/115 mmHg initially, 157/100 mmHg after 6 months, and 153/98 mmHg after 3 years. Twenty-eight per cent had 'normal' systolic pressure and 22% 'normal' diastolic pressure at 3 years. Thirty-seven per cent with mild, 83% with moderate, and 89% with severe systolic pressure elevation had moved into less severe categories by 3 years, as had 30% with mild, 60% with moderate and 84% with severe diastolic evaluation. Those patients with severe hypertension, who did not attain a less grade, had a statistically significant drop in pressure. Four per cent of all patients, however, had moved into a more severe severe grade of systolic pressure evaluation and 6% into a more more severe diastolic pressure grade at 3 years. These results suggest that the hospital Hypertension Clinic can play a useful part in the lowering of BP in out-patients. It is clear, however, that 'normal' BP levels are not achieved in a significant proportion of patients.