Million Hearts® encourages widespread adoption and use of standardized treatment protocols for improving blood pressure control. Simple, evidence-based treatment protocols can have a powerful impact in improving control by clarifying titration intervals and treatment options, by expanding the types of staff that can assist in timely follow-up with patients, and when embedded in electronic health records, by serving as clinical decision support at the point of care so no opportunities are missed to achieve control. A variety of evidence-based hypertension treatment protocols are available for practices and health care systems to select from, including the following protocols, or a custom protocol can be developed using the template.
*The hypertension protocols featured are examples of a wide variety of available evidence-based hypertension treatment protocols that practices and health care systems may consider for adoption and use. Linking to non-federal sites does not constitute an endorsement by the Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or any of their employees of the sponsors or the information or products presented on the sites. Links to non-federal sites containing hypertension protocols serve only as a source of guidance. Health care professionals should always consider the individual clinical circumstances of each person seeking hypertension control. Links to the hypertension protocols are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice; individuals should seek advice from their health care professionals.
* Template will continue to be updated as evidence, guidelines evolve.
Million Hearts® Interactive Protocol for Controlling Hypertension
Recommended Elements of Effective Hypertension Protocols
Recommendations for Successful Adoption and Use of Hypertension Protocols
Veterans Affairs (VA)/Department of Defense (DOD)
The VA/DOD protocol focuses on the critical decision points in the management of hypertension in primary care and provides comprehensive evidence-based recommendations incorporating current information and approaches. Distinguishing characteristics include:
Protocol
Supplemental Guidance
The protocol was developed for use by integrated health care delivery systems that care for adults. Distinguishing characteristics include:
Protocol
Supplemental Guidance
Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI)
The Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI) protocol was developed for use by networks of medical groups. It includes an evaluation of individual research reports and an assessment of the overall strength of the evidence supporting a particular conclusion or recommendation. Distinguishing characteristics include:
Protocol
Supplemental Guidance
New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) [PDF-1.7M]
The New York City Health and Hospital Corporation (HHC) protocol was developed for use by large municipal healthcare delivery systems that also have clinics in communities. Distinguishing characteristics include:
Protocol
Supplemental Guidance
Patient Resources
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Suggested Citation
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Protocol for Controlling Hypertension in Adults. Atlanta, Georgia. 2013.