Table 2.
Description and frequency of expected benefits of high blood pressure medications from adult participants with type 2 diabetes and hypertension on oral medications from a primary care clinic (N = 60).
| “What benefits do you expect to receive from taking high blood pressure medicine?” | n (%)a |
|---|---|
| Short-term benefits | 47 (78.3) |
| Control my pressure | 41 (68.3) |
| Fewer headaches | 5 (8.3) |
| Prevent dizziness | 4 (6.7) |
| Decrease my worries | 4 (6.7) |
| Decrease swelling | 3 (5.0) |
| Long-term benefits | 31 (51.7) |
| Decrease risk of stroke | 17 (28.3) |
| Decrease risk of heart disease | 14 (23.3) |
| Improve overall health | 10 (16.7) |
| Live longer | 6 (10.0) |
| Decrease risk of kidney disease | 5 (8.3) |
| Decrease risk of eye disease | 1 (1.7) |
| Decrease risk of complications (in general) | 1 (1.7) |
| Decrease risk of peripheral vascular disease | 1 (1.7) |
| Misconceptions | 12 (20.0) |
| To be able to stop taking blood pressure medication | 8 (13.3) |
| Freedom to eat whatever I want | 3 (5.0) |
| Decrease risk of liver disease | 1 (1.7) |
a
Column does not total 100% because participants were asked to name as many medication benefits as possible.