Hypertension knowledge in urban elderly patients: comparison between adherents to traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine

Objective To compare knowledge about hypertension between elderly Chinese urban patients with preferences for either traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) or Western medicine (WM). Methods Elderly (>65 years old) patients with hypertension who prefer TCM treatment (n=112) or WM (n=126) were questioned about hypertension. Their answers were compared. Results Only 32.6% of participants correctly identified hypertension as a main risk factor of coronary heart disease and stroke, 22.3% of patients answered that the main purpose of hypertension control was preventing cardiovascular disease. Other major reasons for these patients to seek medical treatment for their hypertension included: persuasion by physicians or their family members (21.6%), alleviating symptoms such as headache and dizziness (16.8%), lowering blood pressure without knowing specific reason (12.4%). The predictors for poor knowledge of hypertension were similar irrespective of preference for WM or TCM treatment, and included those with lower levels of education and older age. Television and newspaper (46.8%) were the most frequent sources of hypertension information for both groups. Among those who preferred TCM treatment, “TCM has fewer side effects than WM” and “TCM cures disease while WM only alleviates symptoms” were common beliefs held. Conclusion This study shows that knowledge of hypertension is similar among Chinese urban patients with preferences for either WM or TCM treatment and that misunderstandings about hypertension are common among the elderly patients. In order to control hypertension effectively, public health education is necessary. This should target those with a lower level of education and older age.