Changing the way doctors treat high bloo...( LONDON ON (Nov 5 2007) - Scientists ...),Health

LONDON, ON (Nov 5, 2007) - Scientists at Robarts Research Institute have developed a simplified and more effective method of treating high blood pressure.

The study, led by clinical pharmacologist Dr. Ross Feldman, showed that more patients lowered their blood pressure - and to a greater extent - when their family doctors used a simplified treatment protocol rather than having to choose from the large number of drugs available to treat high blood pressure. While the study's focus was hypertension, its results could prompt a paradigm shift in the way physicians treat a host of chronic diseases.

Dr. Feldman presented his study results at the American Heart Association conference in Orlando on Sunday, November 4.

Please see the full release from the American Heart Association:

When Treating High Blood Pressure, Simplicity is Best

ORLANDO, Nov 4, 2007 A simplified, step-care protocol for treating high blood pressure was more effective than guidelines-based practice in helping people reduce their blood pressure, according to late-breaking clinical trial results presented at the American Heart Associations Scientific Sessions 2007.

The Simplified Treatment Intervention to Control Hypertension (STITCH) trial was a study of 2,104 patients with high blood pressure (hypertension) at 45 family practices in southwestern Ontario, Canada. In order to increase the number of people with hypertension who reduce their blood pressure to goal levels, researchers wanted to see if there was a simpler way to direct treatment for hypertension than by following national guidelines for optimal management of blood pressure.

The complexity of existing guidelines for the management of hypertension could be a barrier to effective therapy, said Ross D Feldman, M.D., R.W. Gunton Professor of Therapeutics, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada. To examine this question, we conducted a cluster randomizati
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