| Hypertension in the ED: still an unrecognized problem. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 18926352 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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INTRODUCTION: Hypertension is prevalent in the general population. Emergency Department (ED) follow-up studies show persistence of blood pressure elevations in up to 50% of patients, and ED screening for hypertension has been recommended. Blood pressure elevations are often ignored or attributed to pain or anxiety. Our purpose was to document the incidence and recognition of hypertension in the ED and to assess its relation to pain scores and age. METHODS: This was a retrospective study. Patients presenting to the ED during a 1-month period were included. Age, blood pressure, and pain scores were reviewed. Discharge instructions and diagnoses were assessed as to whether blood pressure was recognized or follow-up was recommended. RESULTS: There were 2821 patients. Fifteen percent were less than 18 years old. Twenty-six percent had an elevated blood pressure (40% of pediatric patients). There was no correlation between the distribution of pain scores in either children or adults. There was almost no recognition of the problem. Follow-up for elevated blood pressure was recommended in only 4%. Of these, only 46% actually received follow-up. Twenty-four percent of patients with elevated blood pressure received follow-up for other reasons. Blood pressure was still elevated in 47%. CONCLUSION: Hypertension was a common problem in our patient population. Elevated blood pressure readings were almost uniformly ignored or unrecognized, particularly in children. There was no correlation of elevated blood pressure readings and acute pain scores. Elevated blood pressure readings should not be attributed solely to anxiety or acute pain on presentation. |
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Authors:
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James E Svenson; Michael Repplinger |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
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Title: The American journal of emergency medicine Volume: 26 ISSN: 1532-8171 ISO Abbreviation: Am J Emerg Med Publication Date: 2008 Oct |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2008-10-17 Completed Date: 2009-04-16 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 8309942 Medline TA: Am J Emerg Med Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 913-7 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Section of Emergency Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53792, USA. jes@medicine.wisc.edu |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Adolescent Adult Age Factors Aged Aged, 80 and over Analysis of Variance Chi-Square Distribution Child Emergency Service, Hospital* Female Humans Hypertension / diagnosis*, epidemiology Incidence Male Middle Aged Pain Measurement Prevalence Retrospective Studies Wisconsin / epidemiology |
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