Information on blood pressure control in treated hypertensive patients attending hospital clinics is very scarce in Japan. We investigated the present status of blood pressure control in a large group of 946 consecutive hypertensive patients attending the cardiovascular out-patient clinic of our hospital during a period of a month between 1 April and 30 April 2001. The average blood pressure during the patient\u27s past three visits to the out-patient clinic was 138/83 mm Hg. Patients were divided into 5 age groups. Diastolic blood pressure significantly decreased with age and pulse pressure significantly increased with age, while systolic blood pressure did not differ significantly among the 5 age groups. With regard to blood pressure control, 50% of these patients achieved blood pressure levels less than 140/90 mm Hg, and only 23% achieved blood pressure levels less than 130/85 mm Hg. The achievement rate of blood pressure less than 140/90 mm Hg was the lowest in the group of patients aged less than 50 years among the 5 age groups. The achievement rates of diastolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg, 85 mm Hg, and 80 mm Hg were also the lowest in the group of patients aged less than 50 years. The achievement rate of systolic blood pressure less than 140 mm Hg was the lowest in the group of patients aged 80 years or more, although this was not significant. Calcium antagonists were the most prescribed drugs irrespective of age. The prescription rate of calcium antagonists increased with age, while that of β blockers tended to decrease with age. It could be concluded that more efforts should be made to control diastolic blood pressure especially in patients aged less than 50 years as well as to control systolic blood pressure in elderly patients
