Over time, uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause arteries to narrow, weaken, or harden. In fact, hypertension is the number one cause of chronic kidney disease; damaged arteries cannot deliver enough blood to the kidneys. This need has been addressed in multiple departments at MHP.

MHP's Family and Internal Medicine piloted a "loaner" blood pressure cuff program in 2020. Patients who had signs of hypertension were offered a free BP cuff to take home temporarily in order to regularly monitor their blood pressure. They were also instructed on how to take your own blood pressure properly.

Since hypertension affects multiple areas in the body, some of our specialty offices requested to start their own loaner BP cuff programs. Both MHP Nephrology and MHP Cardiology applied for grants in the 2021 employee fundraising campaign. Each of these departments were able to transform $1,000 into an opportunity for patients to take charge of their own health.

Dozens of patients across both departments have received wristlet BP cuffs, instructions on monitoring, and BP logs to track blood pressure. When these patients were empowered to take control of their health, their adherence improved. This simple solution allows providers to act quickly to significant shifts in blood pressure, either by changing medication or scheduling a visit with them.

Offering programs like these to the community serves as a preventative measure. MHP staff members are stopping chronic illness progression right in its tracks and therefore impacting overall cost of care and future health of our patients. Congratulations to MHP Nephrology and MHP Cardiology for making a difference as well!