Advance with MUSC Health

Pharmacists Help Patients with High Blood Pressure

Advance With MUSC Health
November 23, 2022
A blood pressure bump and various medications.

Clinical pharmacist Brittany Jones, PharmD, and her colleagues at MUSC's pharmacotherapy clinics are helping improve outcomes for patients with high blood pressure through direct patient care.

"When a doctor refers a patient to the MUSC pharmacotherapy clinic, we schedule a visit to meet directly with that patient to help them optimize their medicines and tailor their regimen," says Jones. "It's a great option for patients who need or would like more help with managing their care." Pharmacotherapy is the treatment of a disorder or disease with medication.

Clinical pharmacists in MUSC's pharmacotherapy clinics collaborate with providers to provide direct care, including changing, adding or discontinuing medicines with the doctor's approval. Working as part of the patient health care team, clinical pharmacists have been shown to improve outcomes for patients with high blood pressure.

"As well as making changes to medicines, we help improve awareness and educate patients about the risks of high blood pressure. We guide patients to make sure their blood pressure is controlled and stabilized," Jones says. "We also follow up closely with patients to continue troubleshooting by making sure they're able to take their medicines on time, at the right time, every time."

Clinical pharmacists also provide medication reviews for patients who take multiple medicines for multiple health conditions to be able to look at the patient as a whole, she says.

Benefits for Patients with Hypertension

Almost half of all adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure, and most do not have it under control, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Yet treating the condition can prevent heart disease, stroke, eyesight loss, chronic kidney disease and other problems.

Many patients take medicines to keep blood pressure at a healthy level. As a first step in treating hypertension, doctors often prescribe diuretics, also called water pills. Diuretics help remove some salt (sodium) from the body so blood vessels don't hold as much fluid. This then allows blood pressure to go down.

There are several types of medicines used to treat high blood pressure, says Jones. Some patients take more than one type. Different options make it possible for Jones and her colleagues to find the right match for each of their patients. "We can even combine two types of medicines in one pill to cut down on the number the patient has to take at once."

That means Jones considers the timing of doses and how that affects blood pressure. It may be best for a patient to take their medicine at night so their blood pressure is at a healthy level in the morning, or vice versa. "I often help a patient time their dose based on their lifestyle so it's in harmony with their daily life. This means I take into account their exercise routine, diet, and smoking status, which also affect blood pressure," she explains.

Personalized Patient Care

Adjusting medicines and doses is just one of the ways clinical pharmacists help improve patient health. They also play a key role in medication adherence, which means taking medicine as prescribed.

"I guide and advise patients on ways to remember to take their medicines," says Jones. "Each person is different. For instance, it's easier for me to remember to take medicines at bedtime than in the morning."

For patients who take 10 or more pills, Jones often sits down with them to help plan and write out a regimen. "Many medicines have big words and this can be overwhelming. I've come up with a naming and numbering system for some patients, and have even used symbols and pictures for patients who can't read."

Jones and her colleagues show patients how to take their blood pressure and make sure they understand the results. They can also order labs and screenings.

"Most importantly, I always make sure the patients are able to follow along with and understand their drug regimen," says Jones. "It's personal, one-on-one care to help each patient keep their blood pressure at a healthy level. I love being able to see that all of my patients' blood pressures get to goal and stay at goal with the plans we develop as a team."

MUSC has 10 clinical pharmacists in seven locations around the Tri-County area and provides telehealth options in all regional areas. "We're currently expanding and supporting our regional areas with clinical pharmacists using telehealth," says Jones. "Ultimately, we hope to continue to grow to serve all of South Carolina!"

In addition to care for hypertension, MUSC's pharmacotherapy clinics also provide medication review and management for diabetes, smoking and tobacco use, asthma, cholesterol and anticoagulation. To learn more and find out if you can benefit, ask your primary care doctor or call the pharmacotherapy clinic at 843-792-3377.