Table 4 Patient responses about HTN illness beliefs among those with a previous diagnosis of hypertension: comparing those presenting with and without elevated BP
Normal SBP on presentation mean (95% CI) | Elevated SBP on presentation mean (95% CI) | p value | |
|---|---|---|---|
Is an illness that I cannot influence by my behavior | 2.64 (2.49–2.78) | 2.71 (2.51–2.90) | 0.56 |
Is something I go “in” and “out” of | 2.83 (2.71–2.95) | 2.87 (2.67–3.01) | 0.72 |
Is present only when symptoms are present | 2.56 (2.42–2.70) | 2.56 (2.37–2.74) | 0.97 |
Can be cured with therapy | 2.65 (2.52–2.79) | 2.62 (2.43–2.81) | 0.74 |
Requires me to drink fluids especially when thirsty | 2.71 (2.58–2.85) | 2.72 (2.54–2.89) | 0.96 |
Can occur silently (without signs or symptoms) | 2.00 (2.00–2.00) | 1.98 (1.94–2.02) | 0.21 |
Is likely to shorten my life (cause premature death) | 3.21 (3.12–3.18) | 3.17 (3.03–3.30) | 0.54 |
Drugs work best when I have symptoms | 2.61 (2.49–2.7)) | 2.57 (2.37–2.76) | 0.70 |
Can get worse by my lifestyle behaviors or actions | 3.09 (2.99–3.20) | 3.08 (2.91–3.24) | 0.87 |
Can be disabling | 3.24 (3.14–3.33) | 3.09 (2.93–3.25) | 0.10 |
Is a threat to my health | 3.24 (3.15–3.33) | 3.03 (2.87–3.20) | 0.02 |
Needs treatment if I feel fine | 3.09 (3.00–3.18) | 2.94 (2.78–3.11) | 0.09 |
May improve with drugs and a lot of time | 3.08 (3.01–3.15) | 2.98 (2.82–3.14) | 0.20 |
Plan of care (drugs, diet...) must be followed forever | 2.99 (2.87–3.11) | 2.89 (2.69–3.08) | 0.35 |