Helping Patients Tame High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects about one in three adults in the United States. Despite how often it occurs, high blood pressure has no symptoms, and many people aren't aware that they have it. This can be incredibly dangerous, as unchecked hypertension can lead to a wide range of heart-related problems down the line.

Because hypertension has become such a critical issue, it's important for healthcare professionals to collaborate to achieve the highest quality of care. Pharmacists can supplement physicians' knowledge with information on various contributors to hypertension, such as diet, exercise, supplements, and drug interactions.

And since pharmacists are well positioned and equipped to consult with both patients and physicians, they can be an invaluable resource for all parties involved.

A study published in the U.S. National Institutes of Health's National Library of Medicine noted that collaboration between physicians and pharmacists in cases of hypertension actually yielded a "significant improvement" in the management of high blood pressure.

Tips for Physicians to Share with Patients

When it comes to hypertension, keeping patients safe is often a matter of proper education. Here are a few examples key pieces of information that physicians and pharmacists can share with their patients to minimize adverse effects of high blood pressure:

• Learn to track your own blood pressure: Though physicians and pharmacists are often available to help patients keep track of their health, they cannot be present all the time. Patients should be taught the important details of hypertension—especially, how to track their own blood pressure levels. This way, they can monitor themselves and be aware of when they may need to seek help. Pharmacists and physicians can recommend certain blood pressure tracking devices and practices that are clear and easy to use. Patients should always consult medical professionals about devices they are considering using for blood pressure tracking.
• Your lifestyle plays a big part in your blood pressure: Like all areas of health, aspects of a patient's lifestyle (including but not limited to: diet, exercise, and smoking) can have extreme effects on the severity of hypertension, as well as other medical conditions. Salt intake has been found to be a direct link to high blood pressure. Lowering salt intake, as well as engaging in frequent exercise and eating other healthy lifestyle habits, can be one way for a patient to manage their blood pressure without involving drugs of any kind. Patients at risk of hypertension should also be advised to avoid heavy alcohol consumption.
• Be aware of possible food and drug interactions: While monitoring one's diet is an important part of managing hypertension, food can also affect the drugs you are prescribed to lower your blood pressure. For example, an increase in one's potassium and vitamin K intake can affect certain drugs commonly used to treat hypertension. Patients should always mention any diet changes to their doctors to mitigate any risks, no matter how minor they may seem.

Because physicians and pharmacists can cover more ground together and develop more comprehensive practices to recommend to patients, their collaboration can increase the chances of effectively managing patients’ hypertension. The involvement of more healthcare professionals means more resources are available to patients, which fosters long-lasting, positive results.