Thread by @Drug_Evidence

THREAD: High blood pressure (hypertension) – what does the best evidence say❓

1/13 A practical tweetorial for clinicians, patients and carers

#hypertension #HTNevidence #MedEd 🩺👩‍⚕️

2/13 What is #Hypertension?

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a very common condition, and is associated with increased📈 risk for strokes, heart attacks and premature death 💀, so it's worth asking some 🤔👩🏾‍💻

#TIevidence #MedEd #prescribing

3/13 What about SCREENING for #hypertension?

Screening for high blood pressure might not be that helpful 😯 and early 🕗 detection of mild hypertension may not significantly impact health‐related costs in the long term nor improve health outcomes: bit.ly/35P2mcz

4/13 Do you jump to a 💊 right away?

Lifestyle 🚴🏾🏃🏾‍♀️and blood pressure (antihypertensive) 💊 can help.

Evidence favours a low 🧂 diet to ↘️ blood pressure.

Try to reduce your intake of processed foods 🥫, which contain a lot of 🧂 bit.ly/2Wgrg1v

#TIEvidence #MedEd

5/13 WHO benefits from TREATMENT❓🤔

Treating #hypertension generally ↘️ one's risks

The ⬆️ benefit for treatment appears to come in 👨🏽🧕🏻aged 60-80. but ↘️ targets aren’t likely necessary bit.ly/2YJWmQL and bit.ly/2WHzoY3

#HTNevidence #prescribing #MedEd

6/13 What's the 1⃣st 💊 one should try❓

Most evidence supports thiazides/thiazide-like diuretics as 1⃣st-line #hypertension therapy bit.ly/2WdUIoQ

but, the “best” antihypertensive 💊 is likely the one that a person feels good about taking 😀

#HTNEvidence #MedEd

7/13 What about 👨🏻🧕🏻with "MILD" #hypertension❓

Our TI Letter bit.ly/3dwIEoO on managing hypertension concluded antihypertensive 💊 for adults (primary prevention) w/ mild hypertension have NOT been proven to reduce mortality or morbidity in RCTs

#prescribing #MedEd

8/13 What about PILL SPLITTING💊❓

Much of the blood pressure ↘️ lowering effect of antihypertensive drugs occurs at the lower end of the approved dose ranges.

Maybe consider pill splitting (dividing 💊 into smaller doses)❓ Special report: bit.ly/2YS78Vr

#MedEd