NBHH ramps up efforts to help patients with hypertension

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) nearly half of adults in the United States have hypertension (high blood pressure), putting those individuals at risk for heart disease, stroke and other serious medical conditions.

The chronic care management program at North Big Horn Hospital is designed to reduce that risk for patients who participate in the program. So far, 34 patients are onboard, for the one-on-one guidance coordinated by Rita Unruh, R.N. through the clinic. According to Unruh, hypertension is one of the top diagnoses at the clinic.

Following the American Heart Association’s protocol, Unruh works individually with patients (mostly by phone) to educate them about lifestyle changes that can maintain a healthy blood pressure. That includes loaning blood pressure monitors to patients so they can chart their blood pressure in a log supplied by the clinic. The monitors were donated by the hospital’s foundation board and funded through donations.

Fortunately, simple lifestyle changes can promote better outcomes for patients with hypertension, said Unruh. 

“The program allows patients to participate more and have more control over their health conditions,” she explained.

“The program is a push toward value-based care,” added Clinic Manager Amber James. “It reduces costs, improves outcomes and improves quality of care.”

James also pointed out that hypertension can affect every part of the human body including all major organs.

“If you can manage hypertension you can prevent many health-related problems,” she said.

To participate in the program, patients must be under the care of a NBHH clinic provider. Patients with a diagnosis of hypertension are referred to the program by their provider. Initially, Unruh loans a blood pressure monitor to the patient, along with instructions regarding how to log blood pressure. Over time, a benchmark is established and Unruh works with the patient individually to implement lifestyle changes and monitors the results of those changes. When necessary, the provider makes suggestions and helps with decisions regarding medications.

Unruh said, though most of the patients she is working with are of Medicare age, hypertension can be a problem for patients of all ages. She noted that sometimes younger patients are not aware they have high blood pressure. She said typical symptoms include headaches, palpitations and blurred vision. She noted that sometimes there are no symptoms at all.

“Lifestyle changes don’t happen overnight,” said Unruh. “It takes time and effort.”

She noted that most of the patients she is working with are receptive to educating themselves about their condition and incorporating lifestyle changes that can bring their blood pressure back into a normal range.