Trends in blood pressure diagnosis, treatment, and control among VA nursing home residents, 2007-2018.

backgroundInadequate treatment of high blood pressure (BP) can lead to preventable adverse events in nursing home residents, while excessive treatment can lead to associated harms.

methodsData were extracted from the VA electronic health record and Bar Code Medication Administration system on 40,079 long-term care residents aged ≥65 years from October 2006 through September 2018 (FY2007-2018). Hypertension prevalence at admission was identified by ICD code(s) in the year prior, and antihypertensive medication use was defined as administration ≥50% of days. BP measures were averaged over 2-year epochs.

resultsThe age-standardized prevalence of hypertension diagnosis at admission increased from 75.2% in FY2007-2008 to 85.1% in FY2017-2018 (p-value for trend <0.001). Rates of BP treatment and control among residents with hypertension at admission declined slightly over time (p-values for trend <0.001) but remained high (80.3% treated in FY2017-2018, 80.1% with average BP <140/90 mmHg). The age-adjusted prevalence of chronic low BP (average <90/60 mmHg) also declined from 11.1% in FY2007-2008 to 4.7% in FY2017-2018 (p-value for trend <0.001). Persons identified as Black race or Hispanic ethnicity and those with a history of diabetes, stroke, and renal disease were less likely to have an average BP <140/90 mmHg.

conclusionsHypertension is well controlled in VA nursing homes, and recent trends of less intensive BP control were accompanied by a lower prevalence of chronic low BP. Nonetheless, some high-risk populations have average BP levels >140/90 mmHg. Future research is needed to better understand the benefits and harms of BP control in nursing home residents.