Impact of Ramadan on Achieving Joint National Committee (JNC) 7 Treatment Goals in CV Risk Patients

The proportion of patients enrolled in the study who achieve the JNC 7 (the seventh report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure) treatment goals (blood pressure (BP) <140/90 mmHg) in a primary-care setting at week 52. This variable was derived from the mean sitting blood pressure assessed by the investigators at week 52. To achieve JNC 7 treatment goals, the subject had to satisfy both blood pressure criteria - systolic blood pressure below 140 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure below 90 mm Hg.

The proportion of patients enrolled in the study who achieve the JNC 7 (the seventh report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure) treatment goals (blood pressure (BP) <140/90 mmHg) in a primary-care setting after Ramadan. This variable was derived from the mean sitting blood pressure assessed by the investigators after Ramadan. To achieve JNC 7 treatment goals, the subject had to satisfy both blood pressure criteria - systolic blood pressure below 140 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure below 90 mm Hg.

Percentage of participants who experienced a major cardiovascular (CV) event

The overall assessment of treatment by patients at 52 weeks. Assessed using a verbal rating scale with 5 categories: Outstanding, very satisfactory, satisfactory, marginal and not satisfactory.

The overall assessment of treatment by physicians at 52 weeks. Assessed using a verbal rating scale with 5 categories: Outstanding, very satisfactory, satisfactory, marginal and not satisfactory.

Compliance of patients up to 10 days before ramadan (treated by internists and cardiologists as primary physician). Subjects were asked how often they have not taken their medicine and were given five possible choices from "none of the time" to "all of the time".

Compliance of patients up to 10 days after Ramadan (treated by internists and cardiologists as primary physician). Subjects were asked how often they have not taken their medicine and were given five possible choices from "none of the time" to "all of the time".

Compliance of patients during the whole study duration (treated by internists and cardiologists as primary physician). Subjects were asked how often they have not taken their medicine and were given five possible choices from "none of the time" to "all of the time".

Proportion of patients who achieved the JNC 7 treatment goals during the whole study duration (treated by internists and cardiologists as primary physician)

Change from baseline in systolic blood pressure before and after the month of Ramadan

Change from baseline in diastolic blood pressure before and after the month of Ramadan

The proportion of patients enrolled in the study who achieve the JNC 7 (the seventh report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure) treatment goals (blood pressure (BP) <140/90 mmHg) in a primary-care setting at the end of the 1 year treatment duration. This variable was derived from the mean sitting blood pressure assessed by the investigators at the end of the 1 year treatment duration. To achieve JNC 7 treatment goals, the subject had to satisfy both blood pressure criteria - systolic blood pressure below 140 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure below 90 mm Hg. At this timepoint, a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and/or kidney disease was also taken into account. Subjects with either of the mentioned conditions had to have systolic blood pressure lower than 130 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure below 80 mm Hg to satisfy JNC 7 treatment goals.

Number of participants with adverse events in participants receiving Angiotensin II (Type 1) Receptor Blockers (ARBs) when given in combination with Calcium-Channel Blockers (CCBs) during the whole study duration.