REACH OUT: to Reduce High Blood Pressure in the Emergency Department

One of the most powerful predictors of stroke is hypertension, with estimates of approximately 33% of adults in the United States experiencing this condition.

Hypertension is very prevalent in the emergency department (ED), but significantly undertreated. The overall goal of this project is to develop a text messaging intervention to improve hypertension care in the ED. This will first be done by testing the feasibility of identifying hypertensive patients in the ED, and the response rate to text messages.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult (≥18 y/o)
• At least one BP of systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥160 or a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥100 or only BP performed prior to enrollment is SBP ≥160 or a DBP ≥100 (If the patient has repeated measurements after achieving Criteria 1, but prior to being enrolled, at least one of the repeat BP remains SBP ≥140 or a DBP ≥90)
• Must have mobile phones with text-messaging capability
• Likely to be discharged from the ED

Exclusion Criteria:

• Adult who is in an urgent condition
• Unable to read
• Non-English speaking
• Incarcerated/ institutionalized resident
• Pregnant, or has a pre-existing condition that makes follow-up for 4 months unlikely.