scholarly journals Connecting Rheumatology Patients to Primary Care for High Blood Pressure: Specialty Clinic Protocol Improves Follow‐up and Population Blood Pressures

2019 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 461-470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christie M. Bartels ◽  
Edmond Ramly ◽  
Heather M. Johnson ◽  
Diane R. Lauver ◽  
Daniel J. Panyard ◽  
...  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guy De Backer ◽  
Robert J. Petrella ◽  
Assen R. Goudev ◽  
Ghazi Ahmad Radaideh ◽  
Andrzej Rynkiewicz ◽  
...  

Background.High blood pressure is a substantial risk factor for cardiovascular disease.Design & Methods.The Physicians' Observational Work on patient Education according to their vascular Risk (POWER) survey was an open-label investigation of eprosartan-based therapy (EBT) for control of high blood pressure in primary care centers in 16 countries. A prespecified element of this research was appraisal of the impact of EBT on estimated 10-year risk of a fatal cardiovascular event as determined by the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) model.Results.SCORE estimates of CVD risk were obtained at baseline from 12,718 patients in 15 countries (6504 men) and from 9577 patients at 6 months. During EBT mean (±SD) systolic/diastolic blood pressures declined from 160.2 ± 13.7/94.1 ± 9.1 mmHg to 134.5 ± 11.2/81.4 ± 7.4 mmHg. This was accompanied by a 38% reduction in mean SCORE-estimated CVD risk and an improvement in SCORE risk classification of one category or more in 3506 patients (36.6%).Conclusion.Experience in POWER affirms that (a) effective pharmacological control of blood pressure is feasible in the primary care setting and is accompanied by a reduction in total CVD risk and (b) the SCORE instrument is effective in this setting for the monitoring of total CVD risk.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard A. Parker ◽  
Paul Padfield ◽  
Janet Hanley ◽  
Hilary Pinnock ◽  
John Kennedy ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Scale-up BP was a quasi-experimental implementation study, following a successful randomised controlled trial of the roll-out of telemonitoring in primary care across Lothian, Scotland. Our primary objective was to assess the effect of telemonitoring on blood pressure (BP) control using routinely collected data. Telemonitored systolic and diastolic BP were compared with surgery BP measurements from patients not using telemonitoring (comparator patients). The statistical analysis and interpretation of findings was challenging due to the broad range of biases potentially influencing the results, including differences in the frequency of readings, ‘white coat effect’, end digit preference, and missing data. Methods Four different statistical methods were employed in order to minimise the impact of these biases on the comparison between telemonitoring and comparator groups. These methods were “standardisation with stratification”, “standardisation with matching”, “regression adjustment for propensity score” and “random coefficient modelling”. The first three methods standardised the groups so that all participants provided exactly two measurements at baseline and 6–12 months follow-up prior to analysis. The fourth analysis used linear mixed modelling based on all available data. Results The standardisation with stratification analysis showed a significantly lower systolic BP in telemonitoring patients at 6–12 months follow-up (-4.06, 95% CI -6.30 to -1.82, p < 0.001) for patients with systolic BP below 135 at baseline. For the standardisation with matching and regression adjustment for propensity score analyses, systolic BP was significantly lower overall (− 5.96, 95% CI -8.36 to − 3.55 , p < 0.001) and (− 3.73, 95% CI− 5.34 to − 2.13, p < 0.001) respectively, even after assuming that − 5 of the difference was due to ‘white coat effect’. For the random coefficient modelling, the improvement in systolic BP was estimated to be -3.37 (95% CI -5.41 to -1.33 , p < 0.001) after 1 year. Conclusions The four analyses provide additional evidence for the effectiveness of telemonitoring in controlling BP in routine primary care. The random coefficient analysis is particularly recommended due to its ability to utilise all available data. However, adjusting for the complex array of biases was difficult. Researchers should appreciate the potential for bias in implementation studies and seek to acquire a detailed understanding of the study context in order to design appropriate analytical approaches.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam H de Havenon ◽  
Alexandra Kvernland ◽  
Alen Delic ◽  
Ka-ho Wong ◽  
Nazanin Sheibani ◽  
...  

Background: Recurrent stroke has higher morbidity and mortality than incident stroke. We evaluated hemodynamic risk factors for multiple recurrent strokes. Methods: We included patients in the SPS3 trial. The primary predictor was the top tertile, compared to the bottom tertile, of the mean systolic blood pressure (mSBP) and blood pressure variability represented as standard deviation (sdSBP) using blood pressures from day 30 of the trial to the end of follow-up. We excluded blood pressures from the first 30 days to reduce confounding from the trial’s intervention. We fit a logistic regression model to ≥2 recurrent strokes from day 30 to the end of follow-up and, to accurately analyze the multiple failure-time data, we ordered the multiple failure events to the Prentice, Williams and Peterson extension of the Cox proportional-hazards model. Results: We included 2,882 patients, of which 223 had a recurrent stroke and 41/223 had ≥2 recurrent strokes for a total of 272 strokes. The mean (SD) number of blood pressure readings was 78.0 (37.4). The etiology of the 272 strokes was 161 (59.2%) lacunar, 22 (8.1%) intracranial atherosclerosis, 10 (3.7%) extracranial atherosclerosis, 24 (8.8%) cardioembolic, and 55 (20.2%) cryptogenic or other. In both unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models and PWP Cox models, the top tertile of sdSBP was consistently predictive of multiple recurrent strokes, while mSBP was not (Tables 1/2). Conclusions: We found that in patients with an index lacunar stroke, higher SBP variability, but not mean SBP, was predictive of multiple recurrent strokes of varying mechanisms.


Circulation ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 125 (suppl_10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivia Y Hung ◽  
Nora L Keenan ◽  
Jing Fang

Introduction: The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC VII) recommended lifestyle interventions, either with or without pharmacologic treatment, for all patients with high blood pressure. The objective of this study is to determine the association of physicians’ personal habits with their attitudes and behaviors regarding JNC VII lifestyle modification guidelines. Hypothesis: Primary care physicians who have healthier habits, as defined by eating more cups of fruits and/or vegetables, exercising more frequently, and/or not smoking, would be more likely to recommend lifestyle interventions consistent with JNC VII than their counterparts who have less healthy habits. Methods: One thousand primary care physicians completed DocStyles 2010, a voluntary web-based survey designed to provide insight into physician attitudes and behaviors regarding various health issues. Results: The respondents’ average age was 45.3 years and 68.5% (685 of 1000) were male. In regards to physician behavior, 4.0% (40 of 1000) smoked at least once a week, 38.6% (386 of 1000) ate ≥5 cups of fruits and/or vegetables ≥5 days/week, and 27.4% (274 of 1000) exercised ≥5 days/week. When asked about specific types of advice offered to their hypertensive patients, physicians reported recommending that their patients eat a healthy diet (922 of 1000), or cut down on salt (961 of 1000), or attain or maintain a healthy weight (948 of 1000), or limit the use of alcohol (754 of 1000), or be physically active (944 of 1000). Collectively, 66.5% (665 of 1000) made all 5 lifestyle modification recommendations. Physicians who were between 40 - 49 years old were 1.6 times as likely of making all 5 lifestyle recommendations compared with those who were under 40 years. Additionally, those who exercised at least once per week or did not actively smoke were approximately twice as likely to recommend these interventions. Conclusions: The probability of recommending all five lifestyle modifications increased with both the physician exercising at least once per week and not having smoked.


The Lancet ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 379 (9817) ◽  
pp. 709-710 ◽  
Author(s):  
David S Wald ◽  
Mark C Simmonds ◽  
Joan K Morris ◽  
Peter M Rothwell ◽  
Nicholas J Wald

Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Varleta ◽  
Carlos Akel ◽  
Monica Acevedo ◽  
Claudia Salinas ◽  
Javier Pino ◽  
...  

Introduction: Hypertension is a major public health concern and the leading cause of cardiovascular disease worldwide. Prevalence of adequate blood pressure control is low and it is mainly associated to poor antihypertensive drug adherence. We hypothesized that education through mobile phone text messaging (SMS) would improve antihypertensive drug adherence in hypertensive patients followed in a primary care setting. Methods: Recently diagnosed hypertensive patients receiving antihypertensive drug treatment for less than 6 months were randomised to receive SMS related to improve drug adherence and to follow a healthy life style or no messages. Exclusion criteria were history of stroke, heart failure, myocardial infarction and hemodialysis. Patients were recruited from 12 different primary care clinics in Santiago, Chile, where free antihypertensive drug therapy was provided. All patients signed an informed consent after which a survey was performed. Compliance was assessed using Morinsky- Green-Levine Questionnaire.Text messages were sent every 12± 2 days. After a 6-month follow-up, a new survey was applied. An Ordinary Least Squares regression model was used to analyse the net difference between the two groups. Results: A total of 314 subjects were recruited, mean age 60 ±10 years, 35% male, 67% with low or medium educational level (≤12 years). Mean drug pill number was 2.1 per day and the mean time of drug prescription was 4±1 months; 150 subjects were randomised to text messages. No statistical difference between the control and the intervention groups in regards to gender, age, educational level, blood pressure and baseline compliance was found. Eleven patients were lost of follow-up. Adherence in the control group decreased from to 59,7 % at baseline to 51,7% ( p<0,05) at 6 months. By contrast, in the intervention group, it increased from 50,9 % to 62,7 % ( p<0,05). The absolute difference in mean adherence rate between the two groups was 19,8 % (Standard error: 0.081, p: 0.015). Conclusion: This study shows that education through SMS in patients with recently prescribed antihypertensive drugs improved adherence to treatment. SMS could become a good and easy- to- use intervention tool to overcome low adherence to drug treatments in the community.


Hypertension ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 78 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren East ◽  
Zainab Mahmoud ◽  
Amanda Verma

Introduction: The Post-COVID Cardiology Clinic at Washington University evaluates and treats patients with ongoing cardiovascular symptoms following acute COVID-19 infection. One clinical manifestation seen in the clinic is an increase in blood pressure, with associated symptoms like chest pain. Our investigation aims to describe the increase in blood pressure seen in symptomatic patients presenting to the Post-COVID Cardiology Clinic. Methods: The study employed a retrospective cohort design of consecutive adult patients who presented between September 2020 to May 2021 with cardiovascular symptoms following COVID-19 infection. Demographic information, symptoms, vital signs, and follow-up visit data were collected for the patients. To determine a baseline blood pressure, two blood pressure readings from office visits prior to COVID-19 infection were averaged. The blood pressure values were compared between baseline and cardiology office visits using a non-parametric Wilcoxon test for paired data. Results: One-hundred patients were included in the cohort (mean age 46.4 years (SD 46.4); 81% (81) female). At the initial visit, there was a significant increase in systolic (median 128 mmHg) and diastolic (median 83.5 mmHg) blood pressure from baseline (systolic median 121.5, p=0.029; diastolic median 76, p<0.001). All patients with an increase in blood pressure reported symptoms like chest pain. In the subset of 36 (36%) patients that have followed up, 35 (97%) patients were prescribed a new anti-hypertensive or required an increased dose of a prior anti-hypertensive at their initial visit. Blood pressures at follow-up were not significantly different from baseline (median systolic delta= 1.0mmHg, diastolic delta= -1.0mmHg; p>0.05), and 83% (30) reported improvement in symptoms. Conclusions: Patients presenting with cardiovascular symptoms post-acute COVID-19 show increased blood pressure when compared to blood pressure prior to infection. During subsequent follow-up appointments, patients showed improvement in their blood pressure and symptoms. While the pathophysiology has yet to be determined, it is likely related to the effects of a proinflammatory state, endothelial dysfunction, dysautonomia, or altered effects of the RAAS.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 1071-1075
Author(s):  
David E. Fixler ◽  
W. Pennock Laird ◽  
Kent Dana

The purpose of this study was to determine whether values of blood pressure during exercise help predict which adolescents are prone to maintain high blood pressure. Dynamic and isometric exercise stress tests were performed on 131 adolescents who had had systolic or diastolic pressures greater than the 95th percentile on three examinations the previous year. Follow-up blood pressures were measured 1 year after the stress testing, and outcomes were classified on the basis of the blood pressure status that year. Stepwise regression analysis was used to examine the association between earlier blood pressures and exercise pressures with outcome pressures. In both male and female adolescents, the average resting systolic pressure on the earlier survey was the best predictor of systolic pressure 2 years later. Blood pressures and heart rates during dynamic and isometric exercise did not significantly contribute to the models' prediction of future systolic or diastolic pressures. The data suggest that exercise stress testing is not a valid method for predicting youths whose blood pressures will remain elevated over the next 1 to 2 years.


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