A bundled quality improvement program to standardize clinical blood pressure measurement in primary care.

We evaluated use of a program to improve blood pressure measurement at 6 primary care clinics over a 6-month period. The program consisted of automated devices, clinical training, and support for systems change. Unannounced audits and electronic medical records provided evaluation data.

Lifestyle Changes That Reduce Blood Pressure: Implementation in Clinical Practice.

Lifestyle modification is widely advocated as initial and adjuvant therapy for the treatment and prevention of hypertension. In addition to exercise, nutritional changes including sodium reduction, adoption of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, alcohol reduction, and weight loss have significant blood pressure lowering effects. The current challenge to clinicians has been developing and implementing practical and effective approaches for use in clinical practice.