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Therapeutic Inertia and Treatment Intensification

  • Implementation to Increase Blood Pressure Control: What Works? (J Brettler and K Reynolds, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review aims to emphasize how therapeutic inertia, the failure of clinicians to intensify treatment when blood pressure rises or remains above therapeutic goals, contributes to suboptimal blood pressure control in hypertensive populations.

Recent Findings

Studies reveal that the therapeutic inertia is quite common and contributes to suboptimal blood pressure control. Quality improvement programs and standardized approaches to support antihypertensive treatment intensification are ways to combat therapeutic inertia. Furthermore, programs that utilize non-physician medical professionals such as pharmacists and nurses demonstrate promise in mitigating the effects of this important problem.

Summary

Therapeutic inertia impedes antihypertensive management and requires a broad effort to reduce its effects. There is an ongoing need for renewed focus and research in this area to improve hypertension control.

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Funding

RJW – Funded in part by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (U54MD008173) and National Center for Research Resources Infrastructure for Clinical and Translational Research (U54MD007588). JM, MM, AA, MM – none. PDL – Funded in part by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (5R01HL127215).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Robina Josiah Willock

  2. Department of Emergency Medicine and Department of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital and Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA

    Joseph B. Miller

  3. Department of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA

    Michelle Mohyi & Ahmed Abuzaanona

  4. Department of Emergency Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA

    Meri Muminovic

  5. Department of Emergency Medicine and Integrative Biosciences Center, Wayne State University, 6135 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA

    Phillip D. Levy

Authors
  1. Robina Josiah Willock
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  2. Joseph B. Miller
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  6. Phillip D. Levy
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Correspondence to Phillip D. Levy.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Implementation to Increase Blood Pressure Control: What Works?

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Josiah Willock, R., Miller, J.B., Mohyi, M. et al. Therapeutic Inertia and Treatment Intensification. Curr Hypertens Rep 20, 4 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-018-0802-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-018-0802-1

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