Our work aims to improve blood pressure management and health for all through a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach that encompasses community experiences, digital health, patient education and health services.
High blood pressure is responsible for more premature death and avoidable disability than any other risk factor.
Effective blood pressure management requires regular measurement of blood pressure, a team-based approach to healthcare, regular feedback between the patient and their care team and patient education.
Our work takes a multidisciplinary approach to understanding effective blood pressure management and includes collaboration with consumer advisors with lived experience of high blood pressure, bioengineers, implementation experts, health professionals, clinical triallists and public health experts in Australia and from across the globe.
We are committed to meaningful community and consumer engagement in all aspects of our research.
High blood pressure is the leading risk factor for death in Australia. Patient education is an important component of effectively controlling high blood pressure, and adults who receive education have improved management outcomes. However, many patient education strategies do not meet learning needs, and patients have limited knowledge on key blood pressure management activities.
To help fix this issue, we co-designed an evidence-based, educational package on blood pressure management. To develop the educational package, we worked alongside people with lived experience of blood pressure management, healthcare providers and research experts, using information from clinical guidelines.
We now hope to achieve widespread dissemination of the BP Toolkit to ensure that patients and healthcare practitioners have access to accurate education resources.
In Australia, one in three people have high blood pressure (BP). In NSW, over 1.2 million adults remain at risk of avoidable disability and premature death due to poor BP management, despite safe, effective and affordable treatment options.
Pharmacists are an accessible health professional network to provide patient education because patients regularly visit them to dispense medication, and they are trained in delivering patient education.
Our research found that people with high BP do not have access to appropriate education or support to help them manage their BP. Therefore, we are running a study in pharmacy to measure BP and provide support to people with high BP who are taking medication.
In Australia, 68% of adults with hypertension do not achieve adequate blood pressure control, causing preventable cardiovascular events and premature death, especially among rural and remote communities.
The World Health Organisation’s HEARTS technical package provides an evidence-based clinical pathway to detect and manage hypertension through optimal primary care.
HEARTS is highly adaptable across different contexts, with consistent evidence of improved BP control among diverse patient groups. The aim of this research is to adapt the HEARTS clinical pathway and treatment protocol and evaluate its implementation to improve hypertension and cardiovascular health outcomes for Australians living in rural and remote areas.
Mailing address
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Susan Wakil Health Building
University of Sydney
NSW, 2050
