The University of North Carolina’s Hypertension Clinic has been reaccredited as a Comprehensive Hypertension Center by the American Heart Association (AHA). The certification recognizes the practice’s commitment to following proven, research-based treatment guidelines to care for people with routine as well as complex or difficult-to-treat hypertension. The clinic, located in Eastowne, is the only hypertension clinic in North Carolina with this certification, an honor the practice has held since 2020.
“This certification really highlights the UNC Hypertension Clinic’s dedication to hypertension care and commitment to evidence-based management and utilization of the most effective treatment strategies for hypertension,” said Raven Voora, MD, associate professor of medicine in the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension.
“For example, it is known that following a healthy lifestyle can reduce blood pressure. At our clinic, lifestyle modification is emphasized, and we strive to provide the support and education our patients need to follow lifestyle recommendations. We do this by providing access to individualized lifestyle counseling through the services of an on-site dietitian and lifestyle educator.”
As a certified practice, the clinic is primarily devoted to patients with hypertension and related disorders, recognized as a referral and treatment resource for resistant and secondary hypertension and has facilities and personnel capable of assessing and evaluating complicated hypertension problems. Certified Comprehensive Hypertension Centers are recognized as leaders in providing the most up-to-date effective treatment strategies based on current evidence-based research in hypertension.
“I think the key to the success of our clinic is teamwork” said Alan Lee Hinderliter, MD, the Henry A. Foscue Distinguished Professor of Medicine in the Division of Cardiology. “In addition to physicians who are recognized as Hypertension Specialists, we have a pharmacist, a health educator, and other dedicated care partners who work together in an effort to help our patients manage high blood pressure.”
The UNC Hypertension Clinic underwent several reviews by American Heart Association quality improvement specialists who evaluated the practice’s policies, procedures and operations to ensure appropriate diagnosis, evaluation and treatment protocols were in place and executed for hypertension patients.
Visit the American Heart Association certification programs webpage to learn more.