The CONNECT-HTN project by the Centre tackles global hypertension, affecting 1 in 4 adults, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). South Asia, with high hypertension rates, struggles to achieve blood pressure control, worsened by urban living challenges.
Previous studies in Karachi, Pakistan, reveal a missed chance to enhance outcomes for severe hypertension patients through identification and linkage to sustainable primary care and practical lifestyle solutions.
Severe hypertension significantly increases cardiovascular risk and imposes a considerable burden on healthcare systems. Existing community-based interventions have shown promise in lowering blood pressure, but few studies focus on high-risk populations or measure clinical outcomes beyond blood pressure reduction. Building on previous research and preliminary studies, CONNECT-HTN proposes a multimodal intervention leveraging community health workers (CHWs) and telehealth to connect patients with severe hypertension to primary care resources and promote evidence-based lifestyle changes.
This innovative approach aims to measure meaningful clinical outcomes, such as Major Adverse Cardiac Events (MACE), over a 36-month period, contributing to global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and potentially serving as a model for LMICs.
