Specialist hypertension clinics improved blood pressure control in 10 of 12 included studies at a median 12 months, with 8 studies reporting significant reductions in systolic blood pressure.
Systematic Review (n=12)
Does management in specialist hypertension clinics improve blood pressure control?
Specialist hypertension clinics appear effective at improving short-term blood pressure control, though long-term data are lacking.
Abstract Background Hypertension is an important preventable risk factor for cardiovascular and kidney disease, with limited data regarding the impact on blood pressure (BP) control following management in specialist hypertension clinics globally. Aims To summarise current literature on BP outcomes in SHCs and identify gaps in evidence. Methods A scoping review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines on primary studies describing specialist hypertension clinics (SHCs) and BP outcomes in three indexed databases (PubMed, EBM and Embase). Results The scoping review ( n = 2225) yielded 12 studies, of which only three (25%) were randomised controlled trials. The studies had a median duration of 12 (interquartile range 8–12) months, and 10 (83.3%) studies reported improved BP control at follow‐up. Eight (80%) studies reported significant reductions in systolic BP, while two (20%) reported that >50% of participants achieved target BP. Conclusions The scoping review highlighting definitional variations, suggests that SHCs may be effective at improving BP control in the short term. It further highlights the need for further research to determine whether the short‐term improvement is sustained in the long term.
O'Dea et al. (Fri,) conducted a systematic review in Hypertension (n=12). Specialist hypertension clinics was evaluated on Blood pressure control. Specialist hypertension clinics improved blood pressure control in 10 of 12 included studies at a median 12 months, with 8 studies reporting significant reductions in systolic blood pressure.