Affiliated previously with several major health care institutions, John Macoviak MD MBA is a retired cardiothoracic surgeon who is an author, having over 50 peer-reviewed medical and surgical publications. . John Macoviak’s professional interests include hypertension (high blood pressure), known by doctors as the silent killer because it most often has no apparent symptoms.
A study in the New England Journal of Medicine noted that many people living in rural areas of middle- and low-income nations do not regulate their hypertension with medication. Deaths due to cardiovascular conditions are therefore on the rise, especially in areas with significant poverty and insufficient health care systems.
Researchers investigated whether home visits from health workers could alleviate this problem. They worked with health aides in Mexico, South Asia, Africa, and China, who already travel to provide maternal and child care.
Every 90 days, workers in 30 communities carried digital blood pressure monitors and educated people on lifestyle changes and the necessity of consistent use of medications. Patients who were at risk were sent to specially trained doctors in nearby clinics.
When compared to a similar group that was not monitored and received no advice, those who received these interventions had a 5 mm Hg reduction in systolic blood pressure (the higher number of the reading). Many brought their blood pressure into safe limits, defined as under 140/90 mg.
John Macoviak 