Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To assess whether a physician-nurse team model could improve long-term hypertension control rates by active intervention and modification of antihypertensive drug regimens based on home blood pressure (BP) measurements.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

This study consisted of patients referred to a hypertension specialty clinic between July 1999 and June 2002 for the evaluation and management of uncontrolled hypertension. Patients were evaluated initially by a physician. A treatment plan was designed and implemented subsequently by a hypertension nurse specialist. Each patient was given an automated digital home BP monitor and requested to provide 42 BP readings taken during 7 days at intervals of 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after dismissal from the clinic. The mean of these weekly values was reviewed by the physician-nurse team, and the treatment regimen was adjusted to achieve a goal BP of less than 135/85 mm Hg.

RESULTS:

One hundred six consecutively referred patients were enrolled in the study (mean+/-SD age, 64+/-14 years; 58% female; baseline BP, 156+/-16/85+/-11 mm Hg). Ninety-four patients submitted BP data after 1 month, and 78 patients completed the entire 12-month study period. Overall, mean BP decreased to 138+/-17/78+/-8 mm Hg at 1 month and to 131+/-9/75+/-7 mm Hg at 12 months (P<.01 vs baseline). The percentage of patients who achieved BP control to less than 135/85 mm Hg increased from 0% at baseline to 63% at 12 months. Intensification of antihypertensive drug therapy was required, on average, in 24% of patients at each study interval. The mean number of drugs increased from 1.2 at baseline to 2.0 at 12 months (P<.01).

CONCLUSION:

The use of home BP measurement by a physician-nurse team has the potential to significantly improve long-term hypertension control rates in a geographically dispersed patient population. This model should reduce both cost and inconvenience associated with the treatment of hypertension.