Income Inequality and Hypertension Control

The food environment and hypertension: A cross-sectional analysis in Black breast cancer survivors in Maryland

OBJECTIVES

The Food Environment Index (FEI) has shown varying positive impacts on health outcomes related to diabetes, obesity, and hypertension. However, a relationship between FEI and hypertension among breast cancer (BC) survivors, particularly Black women survivors, remains underexplored. Black women who are BC survivors have a high prevalence of hypertension and increased risk of mortality compared to White women with BC. Our analysis aims to fill this gap by assessing the FEI's association with hypertension in this population.

DESIGN

Utilizing social media recruitment strategies and BC survivor networks, 100 Black female BC survivors completed an online survey, that included sociodemographic and clinical characteristics as well as lifestyle factors. The 2023 FEI County Health Rankings was used to assess the food environment and the index ranges from 0 (worst) to 10 (best). Adjusted prevalence odds ratios (PORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for the associations between FEI, sociodemographic and clinical factors, and hypertension status.

RESULTS

Among the 94 study participants with data on hypertension status, 54.3 % reported a diagnosis of hypertension. Residing in counties with a below-median FEI (<8.8 v. above median: ≥8.8) was significantly associated with hypertension (POR = 4.10, 95 % CI: 1.19-14.13). Age at survey (≥50 years compared to <50 years: POR= 0.29, 95 % CI: 0.10-0.87) and household income ($75,000-$99,999 compared to > $99,999/year: POR = 12.02, 95 % CI: 2.08-69.43) were also significantly associated with hypertension.

CONCLUSION

Our study highlights the potential impact of the food environment on hypertension among Black BC survivors living in Maryland. Our findings call attention to the need for targeted interventions to improve food accessibility and quality in underserved communities, especially for special populations such as cancer survivors.

Trends and disparities in prevalence of diagnosed hypertension among U.S. Adults from 2019 to 2022

BACKGROUND

Hypertension (HTN) stands as a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Identifying trends and disparities in HTN prevalence is vital for developing public health policies.

OBJECTIVE

Investigate the trends and disparities in HTN prevalence among U.S. adults from 2019 to 2022.

METHODS

Data from the CDC's National Health Interview Survey were utilized, with regression analysis including Joinpoint and ARIMA models performed by ChatGPT-4 to predict future trends.

RESULTS

The study observed fluctuations in the overall prevalence of diagnosed HTN starting at 27.0 % (95 % CI: 26.4-27.7, 2019), and reaching 27.2 % (95 % CI: 26.5-27.8, 2022). Males consistently showed higher HTN rates than females throughout the study period, with male prevalence increasing from 27.2 % (95 % CI: 26.3-28.1, 2019) to 27.9 % (95 % CI: 27.0-28.8, 2022), while females experienced decline from 26.9 % (95 % CI: 26.1-27.8, 2019) to 26.5 % (95 % CI: 25.7-27.3, 2022). Southern U.S. exhibited the highest prevalence at 30.1 % (95 % CI: 29.1-31.2, 2022), compared to the lowest in the West at 22.5 % (95 % CI: 21.4-23.8). Black adults showed a higher prevalence of 34.4 % (95 % CI: 32.4-36.4, 2022) compared to White adults at 27.4 % (95 % CI: 26.7-28.2), and significantly lower rates were observed in Asian adults at 14.5 % (95 % CI: 7.4-24.5).

CONCLUSION

This study highlights stable trends in HTN prevalence among U.S. adults from 2019 to 2022, with significant disparities by gender, region, and race, underscoring the need for targeted public health interventions to address these inequalities.

Metabolic syndrome clustering patterns and the association with cardiovascular disease among post-menopausal Korean women

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a group of diseases conceptualized as a clustering of risk factors, with the risks of developing MetS in women varying significantly before and after menopause. This study investigated MetS clustering patterns and their association with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among post-menopausal women (n = 2479) using data from the Korean Genome Epidemiology Study. Using latent class analysis, three groups emerged: diabetic (5.6%), hypertensive (35.2%), and low-risk (59.2%). Relative to the low-risk group, the diabetic group demonstrated associations with older age, a family history of chronic disease, an increased Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), an elevated white blood cell (WBC) count, experience with hysterectomy, being a non-drinker, more physical activity, and excessive sleep. The hypertensive group was associated with older age, lower monthly income, a family history of chronic disease, increased HOMA-IR, a higher WBC count, more physical activity, and excessive sleep. The diabetic and hypertensive groups had a significantly higher CVD risk than the low-risk group (diabetic: odds ratio [OR] = 2.41 [1.11, 5.27]; hypertensive: OR = 2.46 [1.33, 4.55]). This study identified potential markers for MetS screening in post-menopausal women, highlighting the need for early intervention and personalized healthcare for middle-aged women to reduce CVD risk following menopause.

Effects of residential socioeconomic polarization on high blood pressure among nursing home residents

OBJECTIVE

Neighborhood concentration of racial, income, education, and housing deprivation is known to be associated with higher rates of hypertension. The objective of this study is to examine the association between tract-level spatial social polarization and hypertension in a cohort with relatively equal access to health care, a Veterans Affairs nursing home.

METHODS

41,973 long-term care residents aged ≥65 years were matched with tract-level Indices of Concentration at the Extremes across four socioeconomic domains. We modeled high blood pressure against these indices controlling for individual-level cardiovascular confounders.

RESULTS

We found participants who had resided in the most disadvantaged quintile had a 1.10 (95% 1.01, 1.19) relative risk of high blood pressure compared to those in the other quintiles for the joint measuring race/ethnicity and income domain.

CONCLUSIONS

We achieved our objective by demonstrating that concentrated deprivation is associated with worse cardiovascular outcomes even in a population with equal access to care. Measures that jointly consider economic and racial/ethnic polarization elucidate larger disparities than single domain measures.

Characteristics of Retrobulbar Hemorrhage Presentation in the Emergency Department

PURPOSE

To describe demographic and clinical features of emergency department patients presenting with fracture-associated (FA) or fracture-independent retrobulbar hemorrhage (RBH).

METHODS

The Nationwide Emergency Department Sample database 2018 and 2019 was used to compare demographic and clinical features of patients with fracture-independent RBH and FA RBH.

RESULTS

A total of 444 fracture-independent and 359 FA RBH patients were identified. Demographics such as age distribution, gender, and payer type differed significantly, with young (21-44 years), privately insured males more likely to develop FA RBH and the elderly (65+ years) more likely to develop fracture-independent RBH. Prevalence of hypertension and anticoagulation did not differ, but substance use and ocular-related injuries were more prevalent in the FA RBH.

CONCLUSION

Presentations of RBH differ in demographic and clinical features. Further research is needed to explore trends and guide decision-making in the emergency department.

Prevalence of Hypertension and Associated Factors among Residents Aged ≥18 Years in Ganzhou, China: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background

Reliable epidemiologic data on the present burden of hypertension are needed in developing region-specific strategies since previous studies have suggested that China is lagging in risk factor management.

Objective

The study aimed at exploring the prevalence of hypertension and its associated factors among adult residents in Ganzhou, China. Methodology. A multistage, stratified, and cluster random sampling method was used to conduct the cross-sectional survey. The study selected four county-level districts in Ganzhou City, China, as the investigation area. Permanent residents aged ≥18 years who have settled in the area for 6 months or more were selected. A total of 7430 residents were involved in the study. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify predictors of hypertension.

Results

The prevalence of hypertension in Ganzhou was 28.5%, and the age-standardized prevalence of hypertension was 22.4%. Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that multiple variables have a statistically significant effect on the prevalence of hypertension. The elderly (odds ratio [95% CI]: 2.791 [2.594-3.004]), men (1.805 [1.583-2.058]), lower educated (0.848 [0.805-0.893]), a family history of hypertension (4.575 [3.900-5.368]), higher body mass index (1.344 [1.215-1.488]), central obesity (1.532 [1.304-1.799]), and less vegetable intake (1.150 [1.023-1.294]) were the major risk factors for hypertension.

Conclusion

Hypertension is a major public health problem in Ganzhou and requires much effort to reduce its prevalence. An effective multifaceted implementation strategy is highly desirable to combat the emerging burden of hypertension.

Disparities and Risk Factors for Surgical Complication in American Indians and Native Hawaiians

INTRODUCTION

American Indian and Alaskan Natives (AIAN) and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders (NHPI) research is limited, particularly in postoperative surgical outcomes. This study analyzes disparities in AIAN and NHPI surgical complications across all surgical types and identifies factors that contribute to postoperative complications.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study examined all surgeries from 2011 to 2020 in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, queried by race. Multivariable models analyzed the association of race and ethnicity and 30-day postoperative complication. Next, multivariable models were used to identify preoperative variables associated with postoperative complications, specifically in AIAN and NHPI patients. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

RESULTS

AIAN patients were associated with higher odds of postoperative complication (AOR: 1.008 [CI: 1.005-1.011], P < 0.001) compared to non-Hispanic white patients. The comorbidities that were of higher incidence in AIAN patients, which also adversely contributed to postoperative complication, included dependent functional status, diabetes, congestive heart failure (CHF), open wounds, preoperative weight loss, bleeding disorders, preoperative transfusion, sepsis, hypoalbuminemia, along with an active smoking status and ASA ≥3. In NHPI patients, dependent functional status, CHF, renal failure, preoperative transfusion, open wounds, and sepsis were of higher incidence and significantly contributed to postoperative complication.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical outcome disparities exist particularly in AIAN patients. Identification of modifiable patient risk factors may benefit perioperative care for AIAN and NHPI patients, which are historically understudied racial groups.

Prevalence and associated factors of pediatric hypertension in Jazan region, south of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A pilot cross-sectional study

Hypertension (HTN) is a primary global health concern. Moreover, according to the 2010 Global Burden of Disease, hypertension accounted for roughly a quarter of cardiovascular disease fatalities and 1.9 percent of all deaths in Saudi Arabia in 2010. Also, hypertension is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, morbidity, and mortality. However, assessing blood pressure (BP) and preventing hypertension among children and adolescents has become a global priority. This study aims to determine the prevalence of hypertension among children in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. Also, to determine the common risk factors associated with pediatric hypertension. We conducted this cross-sectional study among boys and girls aged 6-14 years visiting Al-Rashid Mall, one of the two main malls in Jazan city, the capital of Jazan region, Saudi Arabia, between November 2021 and January 2022. We included children willing to participate in the study after obtaining their parents' consent and children's assent. We used a standardized questionnaire to interview the parents to collect the children's data. We also measured the children's resting BP. Then we classified the measurements according to the updated International Pediatric Hypertension Association (IPHA) chart. We also measured the height and weight of the children and calculated their BMI. We used SPSS version 25 for the data entry and analysis. Our results showed that the prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension was insignificantly higher in females (11.84% and 12.65%) compared to males (11.52% and 11.52%), respectively. Our participants' main associated factors with prehypertension and hypertension were overweight, obesity, and family income. Pediatric hypertension and prehypertension were highly prevalent in Jazan region. Therefore, being overweight and obese should be considered risk factors for pediatric hypertension. Our study emphasizes the need for early intervention to prevent pediatric HTN, particularly among overweight and obese children.

Design and Rationale of the Home Blood Pressure Telemonitoring Linked with Community Health Workers to Improve Blood Pressure (LINKED-BP) Program

BACKGROUND

Disparities in hypertension outcomes persist among Black and Hispanic adults and persons living in poverty in the United States. The "LINKED-BP Program" is a multi-level intervention linking home blood pressure (BP) monitoring with a mobile health application, support from community health workers (CHWs), and BP measurement training at primary care practices to improve BP. This study is part of the American Heart Association RESTORE (AddREssing Social Determinants TO pRevent hypErtension) Network. This study aims to examine the effect of the LINKED-BP Program on BP reduction and to evaluate the reach, adoption, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness of the intervention.

METHODS

Using a hybrid type I effectiveness-implementation design, 600 adults who have elevated BP or untreated stage 1 hypertension without diabetes, chronic kidney disease, history of cardiovascular disease (stroke or coronary heart disease) and age < 65 years will be recruited from 20 primary care practices including community health centers in the Maryland area. The practices are randomly assigned to the intervention or the enhanced usual care arms. Patients in the LINKED-BP Program receive training on home BP monitoring, BP telemonitoring through the Sphygmo app, and CHW telehealth visits for education and counseling on lifestyle modification over 12 months. The primary clinical outcome is change from baseline in systolic BP at 6 and 12 months.

DISCUSSIONS

The LINKED-BP Program tests a sustainable, scalable approach to prevent hypertension and advance health equity. The findings will inform implementation strategies that address social determinants of health and barriers to hypertension prevention in underserved populations.

CLINICALTRIALS.GOV IDENTIFIER

NCT05180045.

Effectiveness, reach, uptake, and feasibility of digital health interventions for adults with hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Digital health interventions are effective for hypertension self-management, but a comparison of the effectiveness and implementation of the different modes of interventions is not currently available. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of SMS, smartphone application, and website interventions on improving blood pressure in adults with hypertension, and to report on their reach, uptake, and feasibility.

METHODS

In this systematic review and meta-analysis we searched CINAHL Complete, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Ovid Embase, Ovid MEDLINE, and APA PsycInfo on May 25, 2022, for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published in English from Jan 1, 2009, that examined the effectiveness of digital health interventions on reducing blood pressure in adults with hypertension. Screening was carried out using Covidence, and data were extracted following Cochrane's guidelines. The primary endpoint was change in the mean of systolic blood pressure. Risk of bias was assessed with Cochrane Risk of Bias 2. Data on systolic and diastolic blood pressure reduction were synthesised in a meta-analysis, and data on reach, uptake and feasibility were summarised narratively. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation criteria were used to evaluate the level of evidence. The study was registered with PROSPERO CRD42021247845.

FINDINGS

Of the 3235 records identified, 29 RCTs from 13 regions (n=7592 participants) were included in the systematic review, and 28 of these RCTs (n=7092 participants) were included in the meta-analysis. 11 studies used SMS as the primary mode of delivery of the digital health intervention, 13 used smartphone applications, and five used websites. Overall, digital health intervention group participants had a -3·62 mm Hg (95% CI -5·22 to -2·02) greater reduction in systolic blood pressure, and a -2·45 mm Hg (-3·83 to -1·07) greater reduction in diastolic blood pressure, compared with control group participants. No statistically significant differences between the three different modes of delivery were observed for both the systolic (p=0·73) and the diastolic blood pressure (p=0·80) outcomes. Smartphone application interventions had a statistically significant reduction in diastolic blood pressure (-2·45 mm Hg [-4·15 to -0·74]); however, there were no statistically significant reductions for SMS interventions (-1·80 mm Hg [-4·60 to 1·00]) or website interventions (-3·43 mm Hg [-7·24 to 0·38]). Due to the considerable heterogeneity between included studies and the high risk of bias in some, the level of evidence was assigned a low overall score. Interventions were more effective among people with greater severity of hypertension at baseline. SMS interventions reported higher reach and smartphone application studies reported higher uptake, but differences were not statistically significant.

INTERPRETATION

SMS, smartphone application, and website interventions were associated with statistically and clinically significant systolic and diastolic blood pressure reductions, compared with usual care, regardless of the mode of delivery of the intervention. This conclusion is tempered by the considerable heterogeneity of included studies and the high risk of bias in most. Future studies need to describe in detail the mediators and moderators of the effectiveness and implementation of these interventions, to both further improve their effectiveness as well as increase their reach, uptake, and feasibility.

FUNDING

European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme.

Pathways linking relative deprivation to blood pressure control: the mediating role of depression and medication adherence among Chinese middle-aged and older hypertensive patients

BACKGROUND

Studies have demonstrated that individuals of low socioeconomic status have higher blood pressure. Yet, whether socioeconomic inequality would influence blood pressure control and the underlying mechanisms associated with socioeconomic inequality in blood pressure control are unknown. Central to socioeconomic inequality is relative deprivation. We aim to examine the association between relative deprivation and blood pressure control and to investigate the pathways of the association among middle-aged and older adults with hypertension.

METHODS

Data were collected from the 2020 Household Health Interview Survey in Taian City, Shandong province. This study included 2382 eligible respondents aged 45 years and older with a diagnosis of hypertension. Our primary outcome was dichotomous blood pressure control. Relative deprivation was calculated with the Deaton Index. Depressive symptoms and medication adherence were considered as mediators. Multivariable binary logistic regression models were used to estimate the effect of relative deprivation on blood pressure control. The "KHB-method" was used to perform mediation analysis.

RESULTS

Among 2382 middle-aged and older adults with hypertension, the mean age was 64.9 years (SD 9.1), with 61.3% females. The overall proportion of participants with uncontrolled blood pressure was 65.1%. Increased relative deprivation was likely to have higher odds of uncontrolled blood pressure (OR: 2.35, 95%CI: 1.78-7.14). Furthermore, depressive symptoms and medication adherence partially mediated the overall association between relative deprivation and blood pressure control, with depressive symptoms and medication adherence explaining 5.91% and 37.76%, respectively, of the total effect of relative deprivation on blood pressure control.

CONCLUSIONS

Individual relative deprivation could threaten blood pressure control among middle-aged and older hypertension patients through the mechanisms of depression and medication adherence. Hence, improving blood pressure control may require more than just health management and education but fundamental reform of the income distribution and social security system to narrow the income gap, reducing relative economic deprivation. Additionally, interventions tailoring psychological services and medication adherence could be designed to reduce the harmful effect of relative deprivation on blood pressure control among disadvantaged individuals.

Prevalence, risk factors, and cardiovascular disease outcomes associated with persistent blood pressure control: The Jackson Heart Study

BACKGROUND

Maintaining blood pressure (BP) control over time may contribute to lower risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) among individuals who are taking antihypertensive medication.

METHODS

The Jackson Heart Study (JHS) enrolled 5,306 African-American adults ≥21 years of age and was used to determine the proportion of African Americans that maintain persistent BP control, identify factors associated with persistent BP control, and determine the association of persistent BP control with CVD events. This analysis included 1,604 participants who were taking antihypertensive medication at Visit 1 and had BP data at Visits 1 (2000-2004), 2 (2005-2008), and 3 (2009-2013). Persistent BP control was defined as systolic BP <140 mm Hg and diastolic BP <90 mm Hg at all three visits. CVD events were assessed from Visit 3 through December 31, 2016. Hazard ratios (HR) for the association of persistent BP control with CVD outcomes were adjusted for age, sex, systolic BP, smoking, diabetes, and total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol at Visit 3.

RESULTS

At Visit 1, 1,226 of 1,604 participants (76.4%) with hypertension had controlled BP. Overall, 48.9% of participants taking antihypertensive medication at Visit 1 had persistent BP control. After multivariable adjustment for demographic, socioeconomic, clinical, behavioral, and psychosocial factors, and access-to-care, participants were more likely to have persistent BP control if they were <65 years of age, women, had family income ≥$25,000 at each visit, and visited a health professional in the year prior to each visit. The multivariable adjusted HR (95% confidence interval) comparing participants with versus without persistent BP control was 0.71 (0.46-1.10) for CVD, 0.68 (0.34-1.34) for coronary heart disease, 0.65 (0.27-1.52) for stroke, and 0.55 (0.33-0.90) for heart failure.

CONCLUSION

Less than half of JHS participants taking antihypertensive medication had persistent BP control, putting them at increased risk for heart failure.

Proceedings From a National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Workshop to Control Hypertension

Hypertension treatment and control prevent more cardiovascular events than management of other modifiable risk factors. Although the age-adjusted proportion of US adults with controlled blood pressure (BP) defined as <140/90 mm Hg, improved from 31.8% in 1999-2000 to 48.5% in 2007-2008, it remained stable through 2013-2014 and declined to 43.7% in 2017-2018. To address the rapid decline in hypertension control, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention convened a virtual workshop with multidisciplinary national experts. Also, the group sought to identify opportunities to reverse the adverse trend and further improve hypertension control. The workshop immediately preceded the Surgeon General's Call to Action to Control Hypertension, which recognized a stagnation in progress with hypertension control. The presentations and discussions included potential reasons for the decline and challenges in hypertension control, possible "big ideas," and multisector approaches that could reverse the current trend while addressing knowledge gaps and research priorities. The broad set of "big ideas" was comprised of various activities that may improve hypertension control, including: interventions to engage patients, promotion of self-measured BP monitoring with clinical support, supporting team-based care, implementing telehealth, enhancing community-clinical linkages, advancing precision population health, developing tailored public health messaging, simplifying hypertension treatment, using process and outcomes quality metrics to foster accountability and efficiency, improving access to high-quality health care, addressing social determinants of health, supporting cardiovascular public health and research, and lowering financial barriers to hypertension control.

Elevated Blood Pressure in Women of Childbearing Age in the United States

PURPOSE

Elevated blood pressure is frequently associated with adverse health issues among women during and after childbirth in the United States. The purpose of this study was to describe incidence of and determine predictors of prehypertension and hypertension among women of childbearing age in the United States.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Using secondary data analysis, existing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES; 2013-2018) were used to address study aims. Inclusion criteria were women in the age range commonly considered to be of childbearing age, 15 to 44 years of age. Simple random sampling was to select subjects from the 2,932 women in the NHANES dataset who met inclusion criteria. We calculated a sample size as adequate for the statistical group comparison to be significant with a power of 95% to detect a difference among groups. An ordinal logistic regression model was created to discriminate predictors of normotensive blood pressure, prehypertension, and hypertension.

RESULTS

The sample (n = 393) included 300 women with normal blood pressure, 46 women with prehypertension, and 47 with hypertension. Older women (within childbearing age range), women with high body mass index, and African American women are highly likely to have prehypertension and hypertension.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Contrary to previous research, poverty income ratio was not associated with prehypertension and hypertension. Future research should test interventions that include promoting heathy lifestyles and address elevated body mass index. Interventions should be tailored to be culturally appropriate for African American women and older women within this age range.

The Nourish Protocol: A digital health randomized controlled trial to promote the DASH eating pattern among adults with hypertension

INTRODUCTION

Over 100 million adults in the United States have hypertension. The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) eating pattern is an evidence-based first-line treatment option for hypertension; however, adherence to the DASH eating pattern at a population level remains low. To address this gap, we will implement Nourish, a randomized controlled efficacy trial that will leverage a commercially-available smartphone application and evidence-based behavior change principles to improve adherence to the DASH eating pattern among adults with hypertension.

METHODS

The Nourish trial is a two-arm, 12-month randomized control trial that will enroll adults (N = 300) with hypertension, defined as a systolic blood pressure of 120-159 mmHg; a diastolic blood pressure of 80-99 mmHg; and/or adults on blood pressure-lowering medication. Nourish will test the efficacy of a digital health intervention, as compared to the attention control arm, on DASH eating pattern adherence and blood pressure. Intervention components will include skills training, self-monitoring, personalized feedback, and responsive coaching. The primary outcome of the trial is 6-month changes in adherence to the DASH eating pattern, as measured by 24-h dietary recalls.

DISCUSSION

Millions of Americans remain in need of effective behavioral interventions to manage and improve their hypertension and its adverse consequences. The ubiquity of smartphones offers a promising approach to disseminate the DASH eating pattern. By leveraging these widely used smartphone applications, combined with evidence-based behavior change principles and the DASH eating plan, Nourish will demonstrate the effectiveness of a digital health intervention to improve DASH adherence, and ultimately, to reduce blood pressure. Trial Number: NCT03875.

Efficacy of Hypertension Self-Management Classes Among Patients at a Federally Qualified Health Center

Structural racism has contributed to persistent racial disparities in hypertension control, with Black men suffering the highest prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension. Lincoln Community Health Center, our urban Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), aimed to use hypertension self-management classes to improve hypertension control among our clinic patients, particularly Black men. Patients attending classes learned about hypertension, were given blood pressure cuffs to use at home, and had the opportunity to speak to physicians in a group setting. We used a nonexperimental quality improvement intervention design to identify baseline differences between participants who attended multiple classes and those who attended only 1 class. Participants who attended multiple classes, most of whom were Black men, achieved an average blood pressure reduction of 19.1/14.8 mm Hg. Although the classes were effective, current policies around health insurance reimbursement and federal quality reporting standards hamper the ability of health care providers to implement such patient education initiatives.

A cross-sectional analysis of associations between lifestyle advice and behavior changes in patients with hypertension or diabetes: NHANES 2015-2018

Clinicians supporting patients in lifestyle behavior change is an important strategy to help reduce chronic disease burden. Using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2015 to 2018, this study assessed rates of and associations between patient-reported receipt of lifestyle behavior change advice and corresponding self-reported behavior change for four different lifestyle behaviors: 1) weight loss, 2) increase physical activity, 3) reduce sodium, and 4) reduce fat and calories. Adult survey respondents with hypertension and/or diabetes (n = 4716) who received lifestyle advice ranged from 43% to 58%, with the most common recommendation being to increase physical activity. Between 61% and 73% of respondents reported currently modifying health behaviors, with the greatest number reporting weight loss. Multiple logistic regression models were used to test associations for each lifestyle behavior advice-behavior change pair, adjusting for demographic characteristics. Compared to those who received no advice, respondents who received advice had significantly higher odds of reporting losing weight (aOR: 1.93; 95% CI: 1.51, 2.48); increasing physical activity (aOR 2.02; 95% CI: 1.73, 2.37); reducing dietary sodium (aOR 4.95; 95% CI: 3.93, 6.25); and reducing intake of fat/cal (aOR 3.57; 95% CI: 2.86, 4.45). This study utilized population level data to lend further evidence that provider advice about lifestyle behaviors for patients who have hypertension or diabetes may influence patient behavior. However, prevalence of advice is low, and differences in rates of behavior change exist across socioeconomic status and race/ethnicity, indicating a need to further research how providers might better support patients with varying social needs.

Association between height and hypertension among US adults: analyses of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-18

Background

Previous studies that investigated association of height with prevalence and control of hypertension found mixed results. This cross-sectional study explored these associations among US adults (≥20 years).

Methods

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–18 data was analyzed. Height was measured in meters and was converted into centimeters (cm) and was further divided into quartiles: Q1 (135.3–159.2 cm), Q2 (159.3–166.2 cm), Q3 (166.3–173.6 cm), Q4 (173.7–204.5 cm). Hypertension definition of the ‘2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guideline’ was used. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to find out the association between the dependent variable and the covariates. Linear regression analyses were conducted to find out the association of height with systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), pulse pressure (PP), and the covariates among the individuals who were not taking any antihypertensive drugs. Crude odds ratio, adjusted odds ratio (AOR), and adjusted beta-coefficient (for linear regression) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were reported. The following covariates were included: age, gender, race/ethnicity, family income, education level, cholesterol level, high-density lipoprotein level, chronic kidney disease status, diabetes status, smoker, aerobic leisure-time physical activity, and survey period. Sample weight of NHANES was adjusted.

Results

Among the 21,935 participants (47.1% males), the prevalence of hypertension was 46.1%. Among 6154 participants taking medication (43.0% males), 57.2% had uncontrolled hypertension. In the final logistic regression analyses, participants in Q2 height quartile had 20% lower odds of being hypertensive compared to those in Q4 height quartile (AOR: 0.8; 95% CI: 0.7,1.0). Other height categories did not reveal any significant association. Compared to Q4 height category, Q1 (AOR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.2,2.3), Q2 (AOR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.1,1.8), and Q3 (AOR: 1.3; 95% CI: 1.1,1.6) height categories had higher odds of uncontrolled hypertension. PP was inversely associated and DBP was positively associated with height.

Conclusions

Although height was not associated with prevalence of hypertension, it had inverse association with uncontrolled hypertension. It was also significantly associated with DBP and PP among the individuals with untreated hypertension.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40885-021-00164-4.

Nursing case management for people with hypertension: A randomized controlled trial protocol

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effect of management of nursing case on blood pressure control in hypertension patients.

METHOD

This is a randomized controlled study which will be carried out from May 2021 to May 2022. The experiment was granted through the Research Ethics Committee of the People's Hospital of Chengyang District (03982808). Our research includes 200 patients. Patients who meet the following conditions will be included in this experiment: the patients aged 18 to 60 years; the patients had the diagnosis of hypertension; and the urban residents. While patients with the following conditions will be excluded: having renal failure, liver failure, heart and respiratory failure; and known pregnancy. Primary result is blood pressure, while secondary results are treatment compliance, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), type and number of antihypertensive agents used, and the existence of metabolic and cardiovascular comorbidities.

RESULTS

Table 1 shows the clinical outcomes between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Nursing case management is effective to improve the prognosis of hypertension patients.

Health Equity and Implementation Science in Heart, Lung, Blood, and Sleep-Related Research: Emerging Themes From the 2018 Saunders-Watkins Leadership Workshop

Disparities in health outcomes for heart, lung, blood, and sleep-related health conditions are pervasive in the United States, with an unequal burden experienced among structurally disadvantaged populations. One reason for this disparity is that despite the existence of effective interventions that promote health equity, few have been translated and implemented consistently in the healthcare system. To achieve health equity, there is a dire need to implement and disseminate effective evidence-based interventions that account for the complex and multilayered social determinants of health among marginalized groups across healthcare settings. To that end, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Center for Translation Research and Implementation Science invited early stage investigators to participate in the inaugural Saunders-Watkins Leadership Workshop in May of 2018 at the National Institutes of Health. The goals of the workshop were to: (1) present an overview of health equity research, including areas which require ongoing investigation; (2) review how the fields of health equity and implementation science are related; (3) demonstrate how implementation science could be utilized to advance health equity; and (4) foster early stage investigator career success in heart, lung, blood, and sleep-related research. Herein, we highlight key themes from the 2-day workshop and offer recommendations for the future direction of health equity and implementation science research in the context of heart, lung, blood, and sleep-related health conditions.

Income Inequality and Hypertension Control

See Article Shahu et al