michigan hypertension core curriculum - State of Michigan
michigan hypertension core curriculum - State of Michigan
michigan hypertension core curriculum - State of Michigan
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<strong>of</strong> <strong>hypertension</strong>. 19 Furthermore, there appears to be a graded response in BP to lower sodium<br />
consumption. 20<br />
Further dietary approaches include eating a diet high in fruits, vegetables and low fat dairy<br />
products but low in saturated and total fat. 11 This is the foundation <strong>of</strong> the recommended Dietary<br />
Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan. This plan is high in potassium from the fruits and<br />
vegetables as well as high in calcium from low-fat dairy products. Meats are limited. Implementing such<br />
a diet is believed to lower systolic blood pressure by 8 – 14 mm Hg. 11,20 A combination <strong>of</strong> DASH diet and<br />
sodium reduction has effects on blood pressure equivalent to single drug therapy. 20<br />
In persons who are physically inactive, the risk for developing <strong>hypertension</strong> is 30-50% greater<br />
than for those physically fit. 18 Increasing aerobic exercise has been shown to reduce BP in both<br />
hypertensives and non-hypertensives. This inverse relationship has been noted at all ages, in both<br />
genders, and in racial subgroups. It is independent <strong>of</strong> body weight. As a result, exercising for at least<br />
30 minutes per day the majority <strong>of</strong> the days <strong>of</strong> the week is recommended. In doing so, it may be<br />
reasonably anticipated to reduce SBP by 4 – 9 mm Hg. 11<br />
Excess alcohol intake is associated with elevated BP. 21-23 In the ARIC study, it was found that<br />
drinking alcohol in amounts greater than 210 g per week (3 alcoholic beverages) was associated with<br />
a greater risk <strong>of</strong> developing <strong>hypertension</strong> in normotensive persons after 6 years <strong>of</strong> follow-up. The risk<br />
was greatest in African American men. 24 Reduced alcohol consumption in normotensive men has been<br />
shown in a meta-analysis to reduce SBP by almost 4 mm Hg and diastolic by approximately 2 mm<br />
Hg. 24 It is therefore recommended that men have no more than 2 alcoholic beverages per day and for<br />
women, no more than one.<br />
The classification <strong>of</strong> pre<strong>hypertension</strong> (BP <strong>of</strong> 120-139/80-89) was introduced in JNC VII<br />
essentially replacing the prior category <strong>of</strong> “high normal” (BP <strong>of</strong>130-139/85-89) and a range that had<br />
been considered “normal” (BP <strong>of</strong> 120-129/80-84). The significance <strong>of</strong> this classification is to highlight<br />
the importance <strong>of</strong> the increased cardiovascular risk associated with this range <strong>of</strong> BP’s and to initiate<br />
appropriate lifestyle changes to prevent or delay the development <strong>of</strong> <strong>hypertension</strong>. Progression<br />
to <strong>hypertension</strong> from “normal” and “high normal” BP’s during a median <strong>of</strong> 10.9 years <strong>of</strong> follow-up<br />
was 37.3% and 58.1% respectively. 25 Pre<strong>hypertension</strong> is associated with an increased risk <strong>of</strong> left<br />
ventricular hypertrophy, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, and renal arteriosclerosis. 26 It<br />
is also associated with an increased cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. 27 Utilizing the lifestyle<br />
measures <strong>of</strong> reduced sodium intake, DASH eating plan, physical activity, maintaining a healthy<br />
weight or losing weight if overweight or obese and limiting alcohol consumption can be effective to<br />
lower prehypertensive BPs but the impact on outcomes is largely unknown. 28 Pharmacotherapy for<br />
uncomplicated pre<strong>hypertension</strong> is not currently recommended. 28,26,11 The PREMIER clinical trial 29<br />
showed that a behavioral program <strong>of</strong> weight loss, sodium reduction, increased physical activity, limited<br />
alcohol intake and the behavioral program with the DASH eating plan can reduce systolic and diastolic<br />
BP. Furthermore, both interventions were superior to advice alone.<br />
Implementation <strong>of</strong> healthy lifestyle changes in the current healthcare system is challenging.<br />
The identification <strong>of</strong> <strong>hypertension</strong> risk factors is a preventive service and the United <strong>State</strong>s Preventive<br />
Services Task Force (USPSTF) does recommend screening for high BP in adults. However, Yarnall<br />
et.al. have shown that 7.4 hours per day is needed for the provision <strong>of</strong> preventive services alone in<br />
the current model <strong>of</strong> healthcare delivery. 30 When <strong>hypertension</strong> is identified, receiving recommended<br />
care occurs only 64.7% <strong>of</strong> the time and when counseling or education is a recommended service, it is<br />
received only 18.3 % <strong>of</strong> the time. 31 There are movements to reform the current acute care model, such<br />
as the patient centered medical home, which may improve the ability to provide these services The<br />
complexities <strong>of</strong> our healthcare system that preclude the delivery <strong>of</strong> recommended services are beyond<br />
the scope <strong>of</strong> this chapter, but they need to be addressed and not ignored. Likewise, it is important<br />
to take seriously what is important to patients and incorporate their preferences in clinical decision<br />
making. 32<br />
NKFM & MDCH 145