Impact of nurse-mediated management on achieving blood pressure goal levels in primary care: Insights from the Valsartan Intensified Primary carE Reduction of Blood Pressure Study

Abstract

Background: Blood pressure targets in individuals treated for hypertension in primary care remain difficult to attain. Aims: To assess the role of practice nurses in facilitating intensive and structured management to achieve ideal BP levels. Methods: We analysed outcome data from the Valsartan Intensified Primary carE Reduction of Blood Pressure Study. Patients were randomly allocated (2:1) to the study intervention or usual care. Within both groups, a practice nurse mediated the management of blood pressure for 439 patients with endpoint blood pressure data (n=1492). Patient management was categorised as: standard usual care (n=348, 23.3%); practice nurse-mediated usual care (n=156, 10.5%)..