Characteristics of the patients referred to a Hypertension Unit between 1989 and 2003

The level of blood pressure, the type of antihypertensive treatment and the prevalence of resistant hypertension at the first examination were evaluated in 6254 patients referred to a hospital Hypertension Unit from 1989 to 2003. From 1989-1993 to 1999-2003, we observed a reduced prevalence of grade 2 and grade 3 hypertension, and an increase in the prevalence of grade 1 hypertension, the proportion of treated subjects, the average number of antihypertensive drugs per patient and the prevalence of resistant hypertension.