A lifestyle intervention to prevent hypertension in primary healthcare settings: A Saudi Arabian feasibility study

Background

Hypertension is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Saudi Arabia, causing a significant public health challenge in the kingdom. In this study, we aimed to assess the feasibility of the Blood pressure LifeStyle Management (BLSM) program for preventing hypertension by making a significant changes in lifestyle interventions through controlling some risk factors such as behavior, diet, physical activities, and weight in Primary Care.

Aim

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Blood pressure LifeStyle Management (BLSM) program in reducing blood pressure.

Methods

This is a cohort of three-month period feasibility study in a primary care setting in a before-and-after study design.

Results

A total of 100 individuals were recruited for the study, and 73 have completed the program. The overall systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure showed an increment of 0.75 and 1.67 mmHg, respectively. The subgroup analysis exhibited a decrease in SBP (-6.5 mmHg) for patients with hyperlipidemia, while a DBP average increased (+2 mmHg). Females showed a decrease in SBP (-1.04 mmHg) compared to males, who increased in their SBP (+1.69). Smokers showed a significant improvement in SBP and DBP with p < 0.05.

Conclusion

Lifestyle intervention can improve and control blood pressure in primary care settings. The program can be tailored to include more participants, the length of the program could be modified, and the frequency of follow-ups could be increased to enable participants to change their habits and incorporate better life choices in their daily routines.

Evaluation of a Video-Assisted Patient Education Program to Reduce Blood Pressure Delivered Through the Electronic Medical Record: Results of a Quality Improvement Project

BACKGROUND

Low-cost, automated interventions that increase knowledge and skills around diet and lifestyle modifications are recommended for cardiovascular disease risk reduction.

METHODS

We initiated a quality improvement program to assess the impact of a web-based diet and lifestyle intervention utilizing short animated videos in adults with high blood pressure (BP) at a primary care clinic in Saudi Arabia. We enrolled adults with elevated BP, not on BP medications, who were identified using the electronic medical record. We delivered a web-linked diet and lifestyle intervention using animated videos covering diet and lifestyle topics. Videos and reminders were sent weekly for 5 weeks. Outcomes were proportion who engaged in the program, returned for a repeat BP within 3 months, and change in BP.

RESULTS

We enrolled 269 adult participants, with a mean (SD) age of 41.6 (12.4) years; 77% were male. At the conclusion of the pilot, we demonstrated a high level of engagement: overall, 69% of materials were viewed and 67% of patients returned for BP. Patients who returned had a mean (SD) baseline systolic BP of 138.0 (7.2) mm Hg and a large mean reduction in systolic BP from baseline, -10.5 mm Hg (12.4; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the feasibility of a video-assisted, web-based, diet and lifestyle intervention as a support tool for hypertension management demonstrated a high participation rate and a high return rate for reassessment of BP. These findings suggest that this low-cost, automated intervention may have a great potential as a scalable tool for blood pressure management. However, randomized trials to understanding the effectiveness of the support tools are needed.