A new study from Tulane University has revealed that pharmacists and community health workers may be the most effective in helping patients control high blood pressure.
The research, published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, analyzed data from 100 trials around the world, focusing on how different healthcare professionals help manage hypertension.
The study found that while doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers successfully helped reduce blood pressure, pharmacists led the way with the best results, closely followed by community health workers.
This suggests that these professionals, who often have more time to spend with patients, can make a big difference in managing hypertension, which is the leading preventable cause of early death worldwide.
“Managing blood pressure often takes more time than what’s available in a typical primary care visit,” said Dr. Katherine Mills, lead author of the study and an associate professor at Tulane University.
“Having healthcare professionals like pharmacists, who aren’t as limited by time, can be a more effective approach.”
On average, interventions led by pharmacists reduced systolic blood pressure (the top number) by 7.3 mmHg, while community health workers achieved a reduction of 7.1 mmHg.
In comparison, interventions led by nurses and physicians saw smaller drops of around 2-3 mmHg. Pharmacists and community health workers also had the best results in lowering diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number). According to current guidelines, hypertension is diagnosed when blood pressure reaches 130/80 mm Hg or higher in adults.
Dr. Mills explained that pharmacists are particularly good at helping patients with hypertension because they can fine-tune the right combination and dosage of medications. “It can take multiple visits to get blood pressure under control, and pharmacists are perfect for that role,” she said.
The study highlights the importance of team-based care in managing high blood pressure. Lawrence J. Fine, M.D., from the National Institutes of Health, emphasized that having a diverse team of healthcare professionals, including pharmacists and community health workers, is crucial, especially as blood pressure control has been declining in recent years.
Community health workers are especially effective because they often have strong cultural connections to the communities they serve, making it easier to build trust with patients. Additionally, they are usually a more cost-effective option compared to other healthcare professionals.
“Since high blood pressure often doesn’t have obvious symptoms, it might not be the first thing patients bring up during quick visits with their doctor,” Mills said. “The goal is to figure out who should lead these interventions and what the best strategies are to tackle this important health issue.”
This study suggests that expanding the role of pharmacists and community health workers could be a game-changer in the fight against hypertension.
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