Impact of a rural high blood pressure control program on hypertension control and cardiovascular disease mortality
J. M. Kotchen, H. E. McKean, S. Jackson-Thayer, R. W. Moore, R. Straus and T. A. Kotchen
Kentucky is a predominantly rural state with relatively high death rates
from hypertension and cardiovascular disease. We report the results of a
community-based high blood pressure control educational program undertaken
in two rural counties of southeastern Kentucky. In the intervention
counties, systolic and diastolic blood pressures of both men and women
decreased despite the five-year increase in age; moreover, hypertension was
better controlled after the program, and substantial decreases in deaths
due to cardiovascular disease were seen. These differences were greater
among men in the two regions than among women. The results of this program
suggest that, in sparsely populated rural areas, existing resources and
programs can be successfully utilized in a communitywide cardiovascular
disease risk reduction educational program.
