System-wide algorithm boosts blood pressure control across 90,000 patients

• A study suggests that a standardized, stepwise treatment tool integrated into electronic health records, could help to improve blood pressure control.
• This system-wide hypertension program could translate into major health benefits, such as preventing strokes, heart attacks, and deaths.
• However, while outcomes improved across populations, disparities remained, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, affects almost half of the United States adult population, with prevalence rising with age and surpassing 70% for those over 60.

Hypertension is a major cause of premature death worldwide and a leading cause of cardiovascular disease. The increased pressure can put a strain on blood vessels, the heart, and other organs, possibly leading to severe health risks such as heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure.

However, only about 1 in 4 adults living with hypertension have their blood pressure well-controlled, indicating a high burden of uncontrolled cases.

A recent study, published in BMJ Open Quality, highlights a system-wide hypertension program implemented across the University of California Health network, which has significantly improved blood pressure control and prevented serious cardiovascular events