Publication:
CONTEMPORARY CLINICAL TRIALS
Additional Information:
WHAT IS THE TECHNOLOGY?
Diagnosis of hypertension typically involves several visits to the clinic where blood pressure (BP) needs to be confirmed that it is elevated on several occasions. However, many people have high BP when they attend the clinic, yet it is normal at home – this is known as white coat hypertension. Diagnosing hypertension is important to avoid long term damage and risk of heart attacks and stroke if it goes untreated. However, starting BP meds on someone who doesn’t actually have hypertension is also a problem.
Clinicians currently use several different ways to try to confirm whether or not a patient has hypertension. This can include repeated trips back to the doctor, measuring BP at kiosks in pharmacies or clinic waiting rooms, or using BP devices at home.
The BP-CHECKs for Hypertension Diagnosis is a randomized trial of 3 different methods to confirm a new diagnosis of hypertension. Led by Dr Bev Green, from Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, we will randomize adults to 3 different ways to measure BP- 1) follow up visits to the clinic, 2) a home BP device, and 3) going to a BP kiosk. We will compare the accuracy and acceptability of these methods to a 24 hr blood pressure monitor which is considered the ‘gold standard
WHAT IS THE TECHNOLOGY’S POTENTIAL IMPACT ON PRIMARY CARE?
This trial will provide new and highly valuable information to let clinicians and their patients know which of these methods provide the most accurate and acceptable way to confirm a diagnosis of hypertension. Findings will likely inform care nationally on this common and important condition, and give patients and their providers evidence on the best ways to detect hypertension.
WHAT IS PCI-Lab Doing?
Dr Thompson has been a co-investigator on this study, and is now contributing to analysis and research outputs on the accuracy and acceptability of home based BP measurement compared to other ways of BP measurement.