The Association Between the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Medication Adherence in Hypertensive African-Americans

The objective of this study is to better understand strategies used by African Americans with hypertension in order to control their blood pressure. Through the use of qualitative interviews, the beliefs and attitudes toward complementary medicine of African Americans with hypertension will be elucidated.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients will be African-American adults 18 years or older who were diagnosed with poorly controlled hypertension as defined by the 6th Joint National Committee guidelines (systolic >140 and diastolic >90).
• Patients will also be eligible if they are taking any prescribed anti-hypertensive medications.
• Patients must be able to provide informed consent in English. Participants will be recruited from Cornell Internal Medicine Associates, the primary care and general medicine practice at Cornell Medical Center, the same site as the parent grant.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients who refused to participate.
• Patients who are unable to provide informed consent.