Part Two: Patients with Hypertension
Editor’s note: This is the second article in a three-part series. Be sure to read part one (COPD).
The statistic is striking: Nearly half of U.S. adults have hypertension. However, only one in four adults with the diagnosis have their condition under control. In 2020, hypertension was a primary or contributing cause of more than 670,000 deaths in the United States. The following are ways healthcare providers can close clinical care gaps for patients with hypertension, help them achieve positive outcomes, and reduce their risk of cardiovascular morbidity.
Leverage technology to identify patients with hypertension. Prompt and accurate identification of patients with hypertension plays a pivotal role in delivering effective healthcare and ultimately enhancing patient outcomes. Shockingly, a recent study revealed that an astonishing 600 million individuals suffering from hypertension remained unaware of their condition due to lack of diagnosis. However, harnessing the power of technology to identify these patients through point-of-care gap flags emerges as the most promising solution for detecting hypertension cases at the earliest stages.
Enroll patients in care management programs such as chronic care management (CCM). Patients with hypertension may have one or more chronic comorbid conditions—particularly diabetes—making them eligible for CCM or other care coordination efforts. With CCM, patients with hypertension have access to care managers who can help them understand the importance of regular blood pressure screening. Care managers can also help patients focus on self-management using mobile technologies and other methods. They can also help them take blood pressure medications correctly, become more physically active, eat healthier, and make other lifestyle changes to reduce their blood pressure.
Follow clinical guidelines and best practices for hypertension. Last year, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) published updated clinical practice guidelines for treating adults with hypertension. The guidelines are part of a whole host of hypertension resources available on the AAFP’s website.
Address social determinants of health. The evidence is clear: Social determinants influence the development and control of hypertension. Ways to address these factors include dietary and lifestyle counseling, leveraging mobile units to monitor blood pressure, text-messaging-based programs to send reminders, remote blood pressure monitoring, and more.
Conclusion
By leveraging innovative solutions, such as point-of-care gap flags, healthcare professionals can now proactively identify individuals at risk of hypertension or those who have already developed the condition but are unaware of it. Through the combined efforts of healthcare professionals and innovative technologies, we can pave the way for a healthier future for individuals affected by hypertension. Embrace the power of technology, explore DignifiHealth today!
