Reducing Blood Pressure Levels Effectively in Practice

Two interventions each helped to modify this cardiovascular risk factor successfully, but staffing such programs would be costly.

Practice guidelines for the prevention of cardiovascular disease identify clear targets for risk-factor modification but often say little about the difficult objective of actually achieving them. Now, we have data on two strategies specifically designed to help patients with uncontrolled CVD risk factors reach their prevention goals.

In one study from a California county health system, researchers enrolled 419 low-income patients (mean age, 55; 66% women; 85% nonwhite) who had at least moderately uncontrolled, modifiable CVD risk factors. Participants (19% with established CVD, 63% with diabetes) were randomized to receive usual care or one-on-one nurse- and dietician-led case management that emphasized behavior modification and medical mana…

Reviewing Author

Frederick A. Masoudi, MD, MSPH

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBristol Myers Squibb; CPC Clinical Research

Grant/Research SupportNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Editorial BoardsUpToDate; American College of Cardiology Self-Assessment Program (SAP)

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican College of Cardiology (Chair, Innovations Committee)