Aspirin usage in patients with essential hypertension

Objective To investigate the use of aspirin in patients with essential hypertension complicated with different risk factors and clinical conditions. Method Epidemiological cross-sectional survey was used. Through face to face questionnaire, patients with essential hypertension patients in 20 cities in China were assessed for aspirin consumption. Results Total of 6483 patients with hypertension were enrolled; 3287 (50.7%) were male and other 3195 (49.3%) were female. Their mean age was 62.21 years, mean blood pressure was 142.8/86 mm Hg, mean hypertension course was 10.46 years. A total of 2301 (35.5%) patients were taking aspirin, of which 88.05% of patients were using aspirin dose 75–150 mg/day, 7.69% less than 75 mg daily and 1.43% more than 150 mg daily. One hundred and sixty nine who had used aspirin withdrew. Common causes of the withdrawal were as follows: 43.2% for fear of potential long-term side effects, 22.5% for discomfort after taking, 17.2% for economic reasons, 15.4% for no doctors' re-prescription and 1.8% for inconvenience in prescription. Total of 4546 were men aged 50 and above or women aged 60 and above, of whom 1844 (40.6%) were taking aspirin. Three hundred and four patients had diabetes, of whom 122 (40.1%) were taking aspirin. Four thousand two hundred and seventeen patients had dyslipidaemia, of whom 1541 (36.5%) were taking aspirin. One thousand six hundred and twenty five had coronary heart diseases, 1149 (70.7%) were taking aspirin. Four hundred and seventy five complicated with ischemic stroke, 292 (61.5%) were taking aspirin. Conclusion Most of the patients are taking an appropriate dose of aspirin. There is still a considerable number of patients with indications for aspirin who did not take it. We should strengthen the education of patients and physicians to increase the use of aspirin to prevent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events.