A new study from Tulane University has found that pharmacists and community health workers may be the best people to help patients manage high blood pressure.
The research looked at 100 studies from around the world and showed that these two groups of healthcare workers were more effective than doctors and nurses in helping people lower their blood pressure.
The study, published in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, shows that while all types of healthcare providers helped reduce blood pressure, pharmacists made the biggest difference, followed closely by community health workers.
This could be because these professionals often have more time to spend with patients than doctors do.
Dr. Katherine Mills, the lead researcher and an associate professor at Tulane University, explained that managing blood pressure takes time—more time than a usual doctor’s visit allows. That’s why healthcare workers who aren’t as rushed, like pharmacists, can be especially helpful.
The numbers in the study were clear. When pharmacists led the treatment, patients’ systolic blood pressure (the top number) dropped by an average of 7.3 mmHg.
When community health workers were in charge, the average drop was 7.1 mmHg. By comparison, nurses and doctors saw only a 2–3 mmHg drop in patients’ blood pressure. The same trend was seen for diastolic pressure (the bottom number).
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is usually diagnosed when someone’s blood pressure is 130/80 mmHg or higher. It’s one of the most common and dangerous health conditions, because it often has no clear symptoms but can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and kidney problems.
Dr. Mills said pharmacists are especially good at adjusting medications to find the right mix and dose. Managing high blood pressure often means trying different combinations of medicine, and pharmacists can guide patients through that process over several visits.
The study also showed that team-based care is key. Dr. Lawrence Fine from the National Institutes of Health said that bringing different types of healthcare workers together—including pharmacists and community health workers—is important, especially now that fewer people are getting their blood pressure under control.
Community health workers are valuable because they usually come from the same communities as the patients they serve. This helps them build trust and understand cultural needs better. They also tend to be a more affordable option compared to other medical professionals.
Because high blood pressure doesn’t always cause symptoms, it’s not something people always talk about with their doctor during a short visit. Dr. Mills said the goal of the study was to find out which healthcare workers are best suited to help patients manage this serious condition.
In the end, the study suggests that giving pharmacists and community health workers a bigger role could greatly improve how we manage high blood pressure. This could lead to better health outcomes and save lives in the long run.
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