Cardiology

Hypertension

Primary care providers consult specialists in cardiology to improve outcomes and avoid long wait times for face-to-face appointments with a cardiologist. The PCP will evaluate a patient’s risk of cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension. When diagnosed early many cardiovascular conditions can be managed by lifestyle changes and medications. Many physician-to-physician consultations are requested for the management of care related to high cholesterol or hypertension as well as the selection of the most appropriate medication for a particular patient.

While many tests are routinely performed as part of a patient’s annual check-up with their primary care doctor, electronic consult specialists can assist the requesting physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant with a selection of appropriate follow-up tests if symptoms change or as a follow-up to a change in medication:

• Lipid Panel Test
• A1C Test
• Fasting Blood Sugar Test
• Exercise cardiac stress test
• Electrocardiogram
• Tilt table test

Next up, the primary care provider will send the test results back to the consult specialist for review and advisement.

SPECIALTY
Cardiology

CHIEF COMPLAINT
Hypertension

COMMENTS TO SPECIALIST
71-year-old Hispanic female patient with a history of hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Pressures are still above goal. Patient reports taking her blood pressure medication daily. Denies cardiac complaints.
Her blood pressure in the office was 167/72. Three months ago, it was 146/83 and two weeks later it was 168/72. Patient reported at that time that her ranges at home were 130-150/70-90.

MAIN QUESTION
Can you offer advice on how the patient can keep blood pressure within the goal range?

Improve patient access management and support advanced practitioners during the healthcare staffing crisis

Patient access management is a high priority currently, due to patients deferring care during COVID and a short supply of providers. Modern Healthcare reports that wellness visits declined 69% during 2020. With a flood of patients that are overdue for care, states are turning to nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) to improve access to primary care.