Management of hypertension in general practice: agreements with and variations from the British Hypertension Society guidelines.

A random sample of 200 East Anglian general practitioners was surveyed to establish current trends in the management of hypertension, including measurement of blood pressure (BP), patient investigation, treatment and follow-up. A total of 125 (62.5%) completed questionnaires was returned. Responses were used to assess the range of self-reported management practice and the extent of conformity with the British Hypertension Society guidelines. Although there was a broad spectrum of reported practice, many respondents adhered closely to the guidelines in relation to BP measurement, use of non-pharmacological treatment, treatment goals, choice of drug and patient investigation. Not surprisingly, the greatest disparity between reported and recommended practice occurred in areas where guidelines have only recently become available: treatment of isolated systolic hypertension and of the elderly hypertensive. Here, the survey provides a useful baseline against which to monitor future changes in management.