Roadmap to improve blood pressure control rates
Monday, 15 July, 2024
The has published a roadmap with an aim to improve Australia鈥檚 blood pressure control rates from the current 32% to 70% by 2030.
In Australia, blood pressure contributes to more than 25,000 deaths each year. It is also the leading risk factor for death from stroke, heart disease, kidney disease, and dementia, yet 68% of Australians with hypertension are uncontrolled.
In response to this issue, a Call to Action was published in 2022, leading to the establishment of the National Hypertension Taskforce, by Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care.
The Taskforce, led by the Australian Cardiovascular Alliance and Hypertension Australia, has developed a roadmap based on three pillars to: (A) prevent, (B) detect and (C) effectively treat raised blood pressure.
鈥淚mproving blood pressure control rates in Australia is not only critical but possible,鈥 said Professor Alta Schutte*, Co-lead of the National Hypertension Taskforce.
鈥淭he roadmap provides a clear guide of how we can make that happen. We welcome individuals and groups who have been affected by high blood pressure, stroke, dementia, heart or kidney disease, or with a shared interest to substantially improve blood pressure control in Australia, to get in touch.鈥
Published in the , the roadmap is the result of consultative workshops held with National Hypertension Taskforce members, including key representatives from organisations such as the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, the Heart Foundation, the Stroke Foundation and Kidney Health Australia.
Professor Markus Schlaich**, National Hypertension Taskforce Co-lead and President of Hypertension Australia, said that the collaborative nature of the consultation process has yielded something which can succeed.
鈥淲hen we come together like this, we can achieve far more than we ever would as individuals. The focus on management of high blood pressure in the community must include general practitioners, pharmacists, remote healthcare workers, nurse practitioners and all other healthcare providers,鈥 Schlaich said.
The roadmap has key recommendations including a focus towards team-based care, empowering the community to take charge of their health, and supporting equitable and accessible screening and health testing programs.
鈥淧reventing the catastrophic effects of high blood pressure is a goal we all share. We congratulate the National Hypertension Taskforce and welcome their comprehensive roadmap towards a healthier future for all Australians,鈥 Butler said.
Professor Jason Kovacic, President of the Australian Cardiovascular Alliance, said, 鈥淔rom the outset, our vision has been to unite the sector in addressing the most pressing areas of unmet need and hypertension is clearly one of them. This roadmap marks a significant milestone 鈥 a testament to collective efforts. We鈥檙e thrilled to be playing a role in this meaningful collaboration. It presents a genuine opportunity to positively impact the health outcomes of everyday Australians.鈥
Schlaich said, 鈥淭he 10 priorities in this roadmap equip us with the tools necessary for improved BP management in Australia. Through collaboration and active engagement, Australia has the potential to establish itself as a global benchmark for blood pressure control.鈥
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