SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 16, 2017-- A quality improvement program designed to better control hypertension in primary care practices notably improved hypertension control in six months, according to research presented today at the American Heart Association (AHA) Council on Hypertension, AHA Council on Kidney in Cardiovascular Disease, American Society of Hypertension Joint Scientific Sessions 2017, in San Francisco.
One in three American adults has high blood pressure. That number is steadily climbing, despite the fact that high blood pressure can be easily treated using evidence-based guidelines.2
Based on the American Medical Association's M.A.P. Framework, the AMA collaborated with Care Coordination Institute Labs, Greenville South Carolina, to create the M.A.P. hypertension improvement program using the latest science in blood pressure control. It stands for measuring blood pressure accurately; acting rapidly to manage uncontrolled blood pressure; and partnering with patients to promote blood pressure self-management.3
"The goal of the M.A.P. is to make it easier for doctors and care teams to help people with hypertension effectively manage their blood pressure," said study author Michael Rakotz, M.D., vice president of chronic disease prevention at the American Medical Association (AMA), based in Chicago.4
Researchers compared blood pressure measurements of more than 21,000 hypertensive patients from 16 practices, comparing their blood pressures from the start of the study to those taken six months into participating in the MAP intervention.5
They found:
"MAP's evidence-based strategies offer an opportunity for primary care practices to work with patients to quickly improve blood pressure control. And the initiative goes hand-in-hand with national programs focused on reducing the burden of heart disease and stroke, including Target: BP," Rakotz said.
Target: BP™ is a joint initiative between the AHA and AMA aimed at reducing the number of American adults who die each year from heart attack and stroke. The MAP BP improvement program is a central part of the initiative.
High blood pressure contributes to major health problems, including heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure and more.11 The American Heart Association's goal is to improve cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent while reducing deaths from cardiovascular disease and stroke by 20 percent by the year. 12
###
Co-authors are Brent Egan, M.D.; R. Bruce Hanin, M.D.; Irfan Asif, M.D., Jianing Yang, M.S., Susan Sutherland, Ph.D., Robert Davis; and Gregory Wozniak, Ph.D.13
Author disclosures are on the manuscript.
The American Medical Association funded this study.
Note: Scientific presentation time of abstract 93 is 4:30 p.m. PT/ 7:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017.
1 Abstract conclusion and results
2 Second paragraph at this link: http://newsroom.heart.org/news/more-than-400-medical-practices-join-national-call-to-prioritize-blood-pressure-control
3 Interview and beginning of abstract body.
4 Interview Abstract
5 Abstract
6 Abstract results
7 Abstract results
8 Abstract results
9 Interview
10 interview
11 First and second paragraphs in this release: http://newsroom.heart.org/news/more-than-400-medical-practices-join-national-call-to-prioritize-blood-pressure-control
12 Last line at this link: 2020. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Affiliate/Advocacy-Gains-Strides-Towards-2020-Goal_UCM_486434_Article.jsp#.WZWqn2eWyUk
13 Credentials from interview
Additional Resources:
Statements and conclusions of study authors that are presented at American Heart Association and American Stroke Association scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect association policy or position. The association makes no representation or warranty as to their accuracy or reliability. The association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific association programs and events. The association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and device corporations and health insurance providers are available at http://www.heart.org/corporatefunding .
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke - the two leading causes of death in the world. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visit heart.org or call any of our offices around the country. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.