Intervention Component | Detailed Description |
---|---|
Blood pressure control | • Review current blood pressure control and treatment goals • Modify antihypertensive regimen as required (increase dose, additional antihypertensives, change administration schedule) • Order blood work as required with medication changes |
Cardiovascular risk reduction | • Assessment of concomitant conditions and appropriate treatment (e.g., diabetes management, dyslipidemia, obesity) |
Education | • Wallet card to record blood pressure readings, patient-related information from the Canadian Hypertension Education Program [17] • Lifestyle parameters for implementation (weight loss, salt intake, smoking cessation, alcohol intake, physical activity) |
Collaboration with physicians | • Meeting with local physicians prior to study start to discuss collaboration and address any concerns, provide physicians with a communication package • Fax/letter regarding patient's enrollment in the study as well as notification regarding prescriptions |
Adherence | • Simplified regimens, home blood pressure monitoring, and/or identification of adherence barriers |
Close follow-up | • Every four weeks until patient reaches target for two consecutive visits, then every three months |