Background The digital transformation of medical data enables health systems to leverage real‐world data from electronic health records to gain actionable insights for improving hypertension care. Methods and Results We performed a serial cross‐sectional analysis of outpatients of a large regional health system from 2010 to 2021. Hypertension was defined by systolic blood pressure ≥140 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mm Hg, or recorded treatment with antihypertension medications. We evaluated 4 methods of using blood pressure measurements in the electronic health record to define hypertension. The primary outcomes were age‐adjusted prevalence rates and age‐adjusted control rates. Hypertension prevalence varied depending on the definition used, ranging from 36.5% to 50.9% initially and increasing over time by ≈5%, regardless of the definition used. Control rates ranged from 61.2% to 71.3% initially, increased during 2018 to 2019, and decreased during 2020 to 2021. The proportion of patients with a hypertension diagnosis ranged from 45.5% to 60.2% initially and improved during the study period. Non‐Hispanic Black patients represented 25% of our regional population and consistently had higher prevalence rates, higher mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and lower control rates compared with other racial and ethnic groups. Conclusions In a large regional health system, we leveraged the electronic health record to provide real‐world insights. The findings largely reflected national trends but showed distinctive regional demographics and findings, with prevalence increasing, one‐quarter of the patients not controlled, and marked disparities. This approach could be emulated by regional health systems seeking to improve hypertension care.

Introduction: Health systems are increasingly leveraging real-world data to improve community health outcomes. Methods: We conducted a longitudinal assessment of health outcomes in patients with severe hypertension using electronic health record data from the Sentara Healthcare System 2010-2021. Severe hypertension was defined as at least two consecutive blood pressure (BP) readings above 160/100 mmHg. We examined follow-up visit rates at 3 and 6 months, and BP control rates (<140/90 mmHg) at 6 and 12 months after the second BP elevation. We also assessed the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) until the end of 2022. Results: The study included 75,657 patients with severe hypertension. Mean age was 61.5 (13.9) years; 55% were female, 57% were White, 37% were Black, and 21.3% had a history of CVD. The median follow-up time was 3.8 years. Among patients with severe hypertension, 72% and 84% had follow-up visits at 3 and 6 months; 38% and 41% achieved BP control at 6 and 12 months. Among patients without prior history of CVD, 22.5% experienced at least one cardiovascular event during the follow-up, including 8.7% with coronary arteriosclerosis, 11.9% with heart failure, 65.2% with cerebral infarction, and 3.5% with myocardial infarction. The median time to cardiovascular events was 793 days. The risk of CVD was significantly higher in Black and older patients, as well as those with blood pressure levels exceeding 180/120 mmHg. Conclusions: This study successfully identified a longitudinal digital cohort of patients with severe hypertension and linked it to health outcomes. The findings have implications for health systems utilizing real-world data in population health research.

Introduction: Health systems are increasingly leveraging real-world data to improve community health outcomes. Methods: We conducted a longitudinal assessment of health outcomes in patients with severe hypertension using electronic health record data from the Sentara Healthcare System 2010-2021. Severe hypertension was defined as at least two consecutive blood pressure (BP) readings above 160/100 mmHg. We examined follow-up visit rates at 3 and 6 months, and BP control rates (<140/90 mmHg) at 6 and 12 months after the second BP elevation. We also assessed the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) until the end of 2022. Results: The study included 75,657 patients with severe hypertension. Mean age was 61.5 (13.9) years; 55% were female, 57% were White, 37% were Black, and 21.3% had a history of CVD. The median follow-up time was 3.8 years. Among patients with severe hypertension, 72% and 84% had follow-up visits at 3 and 6 months; 38% and 41% achieved BP control at 6 and 12 months. Among patients without prior history of CVD, 22.5% experienced at least one cardiovascular event during the follow-up, including 8.7% with coronary arteriosclerosis, 11.9% with heart failure, 65.2% with cerebral infarction, and 3.5% with myocardial infarction. The median time to cardiovascular events was 793 days. The risk of CVD was significantly higher in Black and older patients, as well as those with blood pressure levels exceeding 180/120 mmHg. Conclusions: This study successfully identified a longitudinal digital cohort of patients with severe hypertension and linked it to health outcomes. The findings have implications for health systems utilizing real-world data in population health research.

Introduction: Timely hypertension diagnosis is vital for effective management and prevention of complications. This study assessed hypertension diagnosis delays in a large regional health system using electronic health records (EHRs). Methods: Retrospective analysis of EHR data (2010-2021) in Sentara Healthcare System was conducted. Hypertension diagnosis was defined as two outpatient blood pressure (BP) readings >=140/90 mmHg within two years, with at least 30 days separation. The delay in diagnosis was determined as the time elapsed from the computable diagnosis to the structured diagnosis documented in the EHR. Results: Among 302,774 patients with computable hypertension diagnosis, 23.6% lacked a structured diagnosis. Furthermore, 23.8% received early structured diagnosis (after first BP elevation), and 18.6% received eventual structured diagnosis (after second BP elevation). Among those who received an eventual structured diagnosis, the median delay in hypertension diagnosis was 21.7 months (interquartile range: 7.5-45.5 months). Prescription rate for antihypertensive medication was significantly lower for patients with no structured diagnosis (44.2%) and eventual structured diagnosis (38.1%) than for those with early structured diagnosis (82.3%). Longer delays were associated with older age, male gender, and Black patients. Conclusions: The study highlights concerning delays in hypertension diagnosis, impacting timely intervention and complication prevention. By leveraging EHR data, health systems can identify areas for improvement and enhance the efficiency of hypertension diagnosis, leading to improved patient outcomes.