In a recent article, researchers suggest both targeted and population-based methods for blood pressure control can help prevent high blood pressure.
The research is from the University of Virginia School of Medicine.
The prevalence of high blood pressure globally is high and continues to increase.
Previous studies have shown that high blood pressure is linked to a high risk of stroke, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and other conditions.
The condition can be caused by a combination of genetic, environmental and social determinants.
The risk for high blood pressure is preventable if people their environment and lifestyles.
Unhealthy lifestyle habits include being overweight/obesity, unhealthy diet, high sodium and low potassium intake, insufficient exercise and alcohol drinking.
These habits are gradually formed in childhood and early adult life.
Many patients do not change their lifestyle even after diagnosed with high blood pressure.
Additionally, race and socioeconomic status are linked to high blood pressure.
For example, black and Hispanic people, as well as people living in poorer areas and the southeastern U.S., are more likely to have high blood pressure.
In this paper, the team suggests control of high blood pressure should be done through both targeted and population-based strategies.
The targeted approach aims to reduce blood pressure in each patient. This is a traditional approach.
On the other hand, the population-based strategy aims to achieve small reductions that are applied to the entire population.
This method is better at preventing heart disease compared with the targeted strategy.
To control high blood pressure, people need to solve many problems.
This includes inaccurate measurement and diagnosis, lack access to blood pressure health care, and proper treatment and control of blood pressure.
In addition, low rates of medication adherence is also a common problem.
The researchers hope to develop new strategies to overcome barriers at the health system, physician, patient and community levels.
The lead author of the study is Robert M. Carey, MD, professor of medicine at the University of Virginia School of Medicine.
The study is published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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