High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a common health issue in the United States that can be difficult to manage.
Even with available medications and the benefits of regular exercise, many people continue to experience persistent high blood pressure, where their blood pressure remains elevated despite treatment.
A study from the Yale School of Medicine aimed to understand the root causes of persistent hypertension by analyzing patients at Yale New Haven Health System who had five or more consecutive high blood pressure readings between January 1, 2013, and October 31, 2018.
The researchers discovered that persistent hypertension often results from factors beyond treatment-resistant hypertension, which occurs when medications are less effective due to an underlying condition.
Persistent hypertension is a broader issue that can include factors such as lack of diagnosis, inadequate treatment, poor adherence to medication, missed appointments, and other healthcare barriers.
To address these root causes, the researchers are developing a new system called a “taxonomy” that helps match patients with targeted interventions based on their specific barriers to controlling hypertension.
For instance, patients facing financial difficulties in obtaining medications might benefit from assistance from a social worker, while others might need more intensive antihypertensive treatment.
To implement this taxonomy, the researchers plan to use machine learning and natural language processing methods to design electronic health record-based clinical decision support tools. These tools could connect patients to personalized, high-quality care on a large scale, addressing their specific barriers to hypertension control.
The researchers hope to pilot this approach at Yale New Haven Health System, focusing initially on improving hypertension control for 40,000 hospital employees and their dependents. This diverse group includes people of different ages, sexes, and racial and ethnic backgrounds.
The researchers believe this system could be applied to other health systems and chronic conditions like diabetes, improving patient care for those who struggle to manage their high blood pressure for reasons beyond treatment-resistant hypertension.
Managing high blood pressure involves a combination of lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medication. Here are some steps that can help:
Maintain a Healthy Weight: Being overweight or obese increases the risk of high blood pressure. Losing weight can help lower it.
Follow a Healthy Diet: Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy products can help lower blood pressure. Reducing sodium, processed foods, and sugary drinks is also important.
Exercise Regularly: Regular physical activity, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming, can help lower blood pressure.
Limit Alcohol Intake: Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure. Men should have no more than two drinks per day, and women should have no more than one drink per day.
Quit Smoking: Smoking can increase blood pressure and damage blood vessels. Quitting smoking can help lower blood pressure.
Take Medication: If lifestyle changes alone are not enough to manage high blood pressure, medication may be prescribed. Types of medication that can help lower blood pressure include diuretics, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and calcium channel blockers.
Working with a healthcare provider is crucial in managing high blood pressure. They can help develop a personalized plan and monitor blood pressure to ensure it stays within a healthy range.
For those interested in blood pressure management, studies have shown that black licorice can cause dangerously high blood pressure, and marijuana may significantly increase the risk of death in those with high blood pressure.
Additional research has indicated that certain methods can treat slightly high blood pressure, and using olive oil may help reduce blood pressure in healthy individuals.
This study, conducted by Yuan Lu and published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, represents a significant advancement in understanding and managing persistent high blood pressure.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies about vitamins impacts on high blood pressure people need to know, and how to manage high blood pressure and diabetes with healthy foods.
For more health information, please see recent studies about the best and worst foods for high blood pressure, and modified traditional Chinese cuisine can lower blood pressure.
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