High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is one of the most common health problems in the United States and many other countries. It happens when the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries stays too high for a long time.
Over time, this pressure can damage blood vessels and organs, increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, and memory problems. Although many people take medication and try to live healthier lives, a large number still struggle to keep their blood pressure under control.
Doctors call this problem persistent hypertension. It means a person’s blood pressure remains high even after repeated doctor visits and treatment. This can happen for several reasons. Some people have treatment-resistant hypertension, where standard medicines do not work well because of another hidden health issue.
Others may have high blood pressure but have never been properly diagnosed. Some patients may be on the wrong medication or not taking a strong enough dose. In other cases, people may forget to take their pills, stop because of side effects, or have trouble seeing a doctor due to cost, transportation, or busy schedules.
A new study from the Yale School of Medicine is trying to solve this puzzle. Researchers wanted to understand why some patients continue to have high blood pressure and how doctors can offer better support.
Instead of treating all patients the same way, the team created a system to group people based on their specific challenges. This system is called a taxonomy, which simply means a way of sorting people into categories so that each group can receive the care that fits their needs.
For example, if a patient cannot afford medication, a social worker could help them find financial assistance or lower-cost options. If a patient’s blood pressure stays high despite treatment, doctors might run extra tests or change the medication plan.
If someone often forgets to take their medicine, reminders, pill organizers, or simple education about the dangers of uncontrolled blood pressure could help. By identifying the exact barrier, doctors can respond in a more personal and effective way.
To make this process faster and more accurate, the researchers are also developing tools that use artificial intelligence. These computer systems can study electronic health records and look for patterns that humans might miss.
By scanning medical notes, test results, and prescriptions, the technology could quickly flag patients who need extra help. Doctors could then contact these patients and offer support before serious complications occur.
The team plans to test this approach within the Yale New Haven Health System, starting with tens of thousands of hospital employees and their families. If the program works well, it could expand to other hospitals and even be used for managing different long-term illnesses such as diabetes.
The goal is to move toward more personalized healthcare, where treatment is tailored to each person’s situation rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
Even without advanced technology, people with high blood pressure can take steps to improve their health. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating more fruits and vegetables, reducing salt, staying physically active, limiting alcohol, and quitting smoking can all lower blood pressure.
Taking medication exactly as prescribed is also very important. Small daily habits can make a big difference over time.
This research shows that persistent hypertension is often caused by a mix of medical, social, and practical challenges. By recognizing these factors and offering targeted support, doctors hope to help more patients reach healthy blood pressure levels and avoid serious complications.
The study, led by Yuan Lu and colleagues, was published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes and may change how high blood pressure is treated in the future.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies about unhealthy habits that may increase high blood pressure risk, and drinking green tea could help lower blood pressure.
For more information about high blood pressure, please see recent studies about what to eat or to avoid for high blood pressure, and 12 foods that lower blood pressure.
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