Study objective:Non-Hispanic Black (NHB) adults have high hypertension (HTN) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden. Medication nonadherence limits control and self-measured blood pressure (SMBP) improves diagnosis and adherence. This predominantly NHB cohort pilot, via community-clinical linkages, with uncontrolled HTN and low adherence, utilized bidirectional electronic messaging (BEM) with team-care, to assess medication adherence, quality of life, and BP. Setting:Academic clinic and community sources. Design:Recruitment included: uncontrolled HTN (BP ≥130/80 mm Hg), low adherence (Krousel-Wood Medication Adherence Scale (K-Wood-MAS-4) ≥1 score), and smartphone access. Participants and interventions:Participants (N = 36) received validated Bluetooth-enabled BP devices, synced to smartphones, via a secured cloud-based application. Main outcome measures:Demographics, adherence scores, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) health-related quality of life (HRQOL-14), BP, body mass index (BMI), 8 weeks daily BEM, SMBP and text responses were obtained. Results:Age was 58.7 ± 12.8 years; BMI 34.8 ± 7.9; 63.9 % female; 88.9 % self-identified NHB adults; 72.2 % with obesity; 74.3 % with diabetes. K-Wood-MAS-4 adherence composite score improved: 2.19 to 1.58 (median -0.5, p = 0.0001). Systolic BP decreased by 10.5 ± 20.0 mm Hg (median -11.0, p = 0.0027). QOL did not significantly change. Mean 7-day average SBP/DBP differences were -4.94 ± 16.82 (median -3.5, p = 0.0285) and -0.17 ± 7.42 (median 0, p = 0.7001), respectively. Social support with taking BP medication was: "yes" (n = 19); 143.8 mm Hg to 131.5 mm Hg (median -12.5, p = 0.0198) and "no" (n = 14); 142.32 mm Hg to 130.25 mm Hg (median -4.0, p = 0.0771). Conclusions:Community-clinical linkages and SMBP with BEM significantly improved medication adherence and SBP without modifying pharmacotherapy.

African American individuals are at a higher risk of premature death from cardiovascular diseases than White American individuals, with disproportionate attributable risk from uncontrolled hypertension. Given their high use among African American individuals, mobile technologies, including smartphones, show promise in increasing reliable health information access. Culturally tailored mobile health (mHealth) interventions may promote hypertension self-management among this population. This formative study aimed to assess the feasibility of integrating an innovative mHealth intervention into clinical and community settings to improve blood pressure (BP) control among African American patients. A mixed methods study of African American patients with uncontrolled hypertension was conducted over 2 consecutive phases. In phase 1, patients and clinicians from 2 federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in the Minneapolis-St Paul, Minnesota area, provided input through focus groups to refine an existing culturally tailored mHealth app (Fostering African-American Improvement in Total Health! [FAITH!] App) for promoting hypertension self-management among African American patients with uncontrolled hypertension (renamed as FAITH! Hypertension App). Phase 2 was a single-arm pre-post intervention pilot study assessing feasibility and patient satisfaction. Patients receiving care at an FQHC participated in a 10-week intervention using the FAITH! Hypertension App synchronized with a wireless BP monitor and community health worker (CHW) support to address social determinants of health–related social needs. The multimedia app consisted of a 10-module educational series focused on hypertension and cardiovascular risk factors with interactive self-assessments, medication and BP self-monitoring, and social networking. Primary outcomes were feasibility (app engagement and satisfaction) and preliminary efficacy (change in BP) at an immediate postintervention assessment. In phase 1, thirteen African American patients (n=9, 69% aged ≥50 years and n=10, 77% women) and 16 clinicians (n=11, 69% aged ≥50 years; n=14, 88% women; and n=10, 63% African American) participated in focus groups. Their feedback informed app modifications, including the addition of BP and medication tracking, BP self-care task reminders, and culturally sensitive contexts. In phase 2, sixteen African American patients were enrolled (mean age 52.6, SD 12.3 years; 12/16, 75% women). Overall, 38% (6/16) completed ≥50% of the 10 education modules, and 44% (7/16) completed the postintervention assessment. These patients rated the intervention a 9 (out of 10) on its helpfulness in hypertension self-management. Qualitative data revealed that they viewed the app as user-friendly, engaging, and informative, and CHWs were perceived as providing accountability and support. The mean systolic and diastolic BPs of the 7 patients decreased by 6.5 mm Hg (P=.15) and 2.8 mm Hg (P=.78), respectively, at the immediate postintervention assessment. A culturally tailored mHealth app reinforced by CHW support may improve hypertension self-management among underresourced African American individuals receiving care at FQHCs. A future randomized efficacy trial of this intervention is warranted. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04554147; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04554147

Introduction: Non-Hispanic Black adults (NHB) have the highest US CVD risk, the leading cause of mortality. Medication nonadherence predicts suboptimal HTN control. Self-measured blood pressure (SMBP) effectively tracks BP changes and medication response. Purpose: This New Orleans, LA predominantly NHB single cohort pilot study examined uncontrolled HTN utilizing bidirectional electronic messaging (BEM) with an interdisciplinary healthcare team assessing medication adherence, quality of life (QOL), and BP, without pharmacotherapeutic change. Methods: Participants were screened from Tulane Cardiology Clinic and community sources. Eligibility criteria included: uncontrolled HTN (BP >130/80 mmHg), low Krousel-Wood (KW) adherence score, and smartphone access. Participants (n=36) were provided validated bluetooth-enabled BP devices synced to smartphones via a cloud-based BP recording app. Demographic information included: age, self-identified race (91.7% NHB), and sex. Pre- and post-study KW adherence scores, CDC Health Related QOL surveys, BMI and BP were obtained. Participants were followed with BEM for 8 weeks with SMBP and daily text reminders. Results: Mean age was 58.7±12.8 years; mean BMI was 34.8±7.8; 63.9% were female; 25.7 % with previous diabetes diagnosis; 72% with obesity. Nonadherence significantly improved with mean KW adherence composite score change from 2.19 to 1.58 (p = 0.0001). Mean baseline SBP/DBP was 142.19/81.19; SBP decreased significantly by mean 10.5±20.0 mmHg (p = 0.0027) with no significant change in DBP. There was a non-significant decline in the average summary index of unhealthy days during the previous 30 days from 9.1 days to 6.8 days, change -2.3 ± 10.7 (p = 0.21). Conclusions: A novel approach combining cloud-based bluetooth SMBP transmission with BEM health communication significantly improved medication adherence and systolic BP in a predominantly NHB urban cohort without modifying existing pharmacotherapy. “Supported in part by U54 GM104940 from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of NIH, which funds the LA Clinical and Translational Science Center. Content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent official views of the NIH.”

The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) trial demonstrated that an eating plan rich in fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products with reduced total and saturated fat, cholesterol, and sugar-sweetened products effectively lowers blood pressure (BP) in individuals with elevated BP and stage I hypertension, including minorities. However, limited evidence is available for the efficacy of the DASH eating pattern in special patient populations that were under-represented in the trial, including individuals with diabetes, patients with chronic kidney disease, and children. Additionally, applying significant multilevel public health interventions addressing the social determinants of health can effectively benefit various populations and allow for modification to the DASH diet along with the use of novel ways of promoting it to these groups. In general, the DASH diet can be easily adopted by most patient populations and in conjunction with pharmacotherapy and other therapeutic lifestyle interventions to reduce BP and cardiovascular disease risk.

While there have been significant advances made towards controlling cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality in recent decades, African- Americans continue to experience a markedly elevated burden of CVD. Multiple factors have contributed to this major public health crisis, including medication adherence, racial inequities in diagnosis and treatment, lack of culturally competent care, and disparities in healthcare access. Historical approaches to reduce this burden are targeted towards community outreach by recruiting community partners and healthcare providers to disseminate health information on CVD awareness and prevention. Current community-based approaches, such as the barbershop and faith-based programs, have built upon previous approaches and incorporated novel ideas to increase community engagement in risk factor and disease reduction. Based on these models, future directions point to an increased usage of community partners, alongside health information technology and healthy behavior patient education, to reduce risk factors and prevalence of CVD in an ethnically vulnerable community.

While there have been significant advances made towards controlling cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality in recent decades, African- Americans continue to experience a markedly elevated burden of CVD. Multiple factors have contributed to this major public health crisis, including medication adherence, racial inequities in diagnosis and treatment, lack of culturally competent care, and disparities in healthcare access. Historical approaches to reduce this burden are targeted towards community outreach by recruiting community partners and healthcare providers to disseminate health information on CVD awareness and prevention. Current community-based approaches, such as the barbershop and faith-based programs, have built upon previous approaches and incorporated novel ideas to increase community engagement in risk factor and disease reduction. Based on these models, future directions point to an increased usage of community partners, alongside health information technology and healthy behavior patient education, to reduce risk factors and prevalence of CVD in an ethnically vulnerable community.

The Cardiometabolic Think Tank was convened on June 20, 2014, in Washington, DC, as a “call to action” activity focused on defining new patient care models and approaches to address contemporary issues of cardiometabolic risk and disease. Individual experts representing >20 professional organizations participated in this roundtable discussion. The Think Tank consensus was that the metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex pathophysiological state comprised of a cluster of clinically measured and typically unmeasured risk factors, is progressive in its course, and is associated with serious and extensive comorbidity, but tends to be clinically under-recognized. The ideal patient care model for MetS must accurately identify those at risk before MetS develops and must recognize subtypes and stages of MetS to more effectively direct prevention and therapies. This new MetS care model introduces both affirmed and emerging concepts that will require consensus development, validation, and optimization in the future.

The Cardiometabolic Think Tank was convened on June 20, 2014, in Washington, DC, as a "call to action" activity focused on defining new patient care models and approaches to address contemporary issues of cardiometabolic risk and disease. Individual experts representing >20 professional organizations participated in this roundtable discussion. The Think Tank consensus was that the metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex pathophysiological state comprised of a cluster of clinically measured and typically unmeasured risk factors, is progressive in its course, and is associated with serious and extensive comorbidity, but tends to be clinically under-recognized. The ideal patient care model for MetS must accurately identify those at risk before MetS develops and must recognize subtypes and stages of MetS to more effectively direct prevention and therapies. This new MetS care model introduces both affirmed and emerging concepts that will require consensus development, validation, and optimization in the future.

This review discusses current concepts and future trends in the optimal control of elevated blood pressure and hypertension in persons with diabetes, specifically type 2 diabetes mellitus. Although the primary management for persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus, especially with lower levels of blood pressure elevation, is modification or reversal of adverse lifestyles, including weight management and increased physical activity, pharmacologic antihypertensive treatment is usually necessary to optimally control cardiovascular and renal risks. Therapies that modulate the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system may be beneficial in reducing associated cardiovascular and renal diseases, but control of elevated blood pressure remains an essential target of any antihypertensive therapy. Blood pressure goal attainment, even with pharmacologic therapy, is distressingly low. Certain racial or ethnic groups in the United States have a higher prevalence of diabetes, and greater associated rates of hypertension are noted in African Americans, with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Clinical evidence may soon confirm or refute the outcomes benefit of blood pressure targets of 120/80 mm Hg or lower.

Disparities persist in cardiovascular disease, and it is difficult to separate socioeconomic status from race/ethnicity or genetic factors. Blacks have more hypertension, with higher cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Despite high rates of type 2 diabetes and obesity, Hispanics do not appear to have higher cardiovascular mortality than non-Hispanic whites or blacks. South Asians have premature coronary heart disease, with more metabolic syndrome and diabetes. Racial/ethnic pharmacogenetics does not justify withholding appropriate medications. However, pharmacogenetics demonstrates the importance of using starting doses of medications that are ethnic specific. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality reports that the uninsured have difficulty accessing care, which may lead to delayed diagnosis and longer hospitalizations. Minority providers may positively affect the health of an increasingly diverse population.

Hypertension is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which includes coronary heart disease, heart failure and stroke. This article examines the possible benefits and potential pitfalls of utilizing race-based categories for antihypertensive therapy. Although the use of race and ethnicity to guide antihypertensive treatment is fraught with difficulty and is, to a large extent, inadequate, there may be benefit in recognizing specific aspects of race and ethnicity when approaching patients with hypertension. Evidence from clinical trials, including drug efficacy and safety comparisons and cardiovascular outcomes, has demonstrated some differences based on race/ethnicity. American federal standards strongly encourage capturing data on race/ethnicity, and most of the current data are available for self-described African-Americans. International studies increasingly identify race/ethnicity, although the data are not as robust as in US trials. Current guidelines recommend thiazide diuretics and/or long-acting calcium channel blockers as initial treatment for Blacks, although medications for compelling indications agents should be prescribed, regardless of race/ethnicity.

Heart failure is a substantial cause of increased morbidity and mortality in the African-American population, with poorer prognosis versus white patients. Systolic heart failure is predominantly caused by poorly controlled hypertension in African-Americans. Overall, African-Americans remain underrepresented in morbidity and mortality heart failure trials, and further data are needed to confirm the potential benefit of present therapies and newer approaches to heart failure in African-Americans. Intensive blood pressure control and control of other risk factors, along with the appropriate application of evidencebased therapies including angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and approved β-blockers, are required to decrease racial disparities. Although some data suggest that contemporary treatment with ACE inhibitors and β-blockers may be less effective in African-Americans in terms of reducing heart failure morbidity and mortality, there is not adequate evidence to support a unique strategy for this population. The use of evidence-based therapies should be equally applied to African-Americans as well as to other ethnic groups while awaiting further studies.