A new study led by UC San Francisco reports that a blood pressure management program adopted across the University of California's six academic medical centers has helped lower hypertension and prevent serious illness or death for thousands of patients, according to a statement released on Mar. 18.
High blood pressure is a major health concern in the United States, affecting nearly half of Americans and leading to conditions such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and pregnancy complications. The impact is especially significant among underserved populations.
The study found that the UC Way Hypertension Medication Algorithm improved blood pressure control from 68.5% to nearly 74% among approximately 90,000 patients over two years, including 11,500 at UCSF. "This improvement amounts to about 4,860 people who now have controlled blood pressure, which translates to 72 strokes, 48 heart attacks and 38 deaths averted," said lead author Sandeep P. Kishore, MD, PhD. "These are real Californians who didn't end up in an emergency room, didn't have a disability, didn't lose time with their families." The tool uses a stepwise approach to medication adjustments and is integrated into electronic health records.
Developed by multidisciplinary teams at UC Health—including cardiologists, internists, nurses, pharmacists and data scientists—the tool was implemented systemwide in 2023 after three years of planning. In addition to medication protocols, experts recommend lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking or tobacco use, limiting alcohol consumption and sodium intake, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight and diet, and using at-home blood pressure monitors.
The problem remains acute in certain groups: by age 55, about three-quarters of Black adults develop hypertension compared with just over half of white men and two-fifths of white women. The UC Health tool increased hypertension control for Black patients from 63.4% to 67.3%, though disparities persist.
UC Health serves more than nine million outpatient visits annually as one of the nation's largest public academic health systems. Kishore said the program could be adapted by other health systems or used for other chronic diseases: "Similar efforts are now underway for diabetes at UC Heath, and the approach may be tailored to other conditions in the future." He added: "The challenge isn't the science – we know how to control blood pressure. This is all about having a system-wide focus that actually moves the needle. UC Health's experience shows that with the right infrastructure and commitment, large, complex health systems can improve blood pressure control and prevent heart attacks and strokes."
