Dear Colleagues and Friends
We have recently seen the publication of the first Australian Paediatric Hypertension guidelines co-authored by several Hypertension Australia members. This alongside recent achievements in a MBS item number for ambulatory blood pressure monitoring for children are massive advancements in hypertension care for children and adolescents. As always, we feature in this newsletter novel work done across research and policy driven by our membership.
Beyond this, there is much to look forward to in the near future. The Hypertension Winter School led by the exceptional ECR Committee will focus on Communicating Science for a Layperson Audience and will feature heavy hitter panellists in this space. EMCRs are encouraged to present their research during the Winter School.
Finally, we want to hear from you! Feedback for this newsletter is important and helps us understand what our readership wants to see more of. Follow the link in the sections below.
Best wishes,
Gianni Sesa-Ashton
Chair, Communications Committee
Hypertension Australia
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This review explores the rapid development of wearable and cuffless blood pressure monitoring technologies and their potential to transform hypertension management. While these devices could improve long-term monitoring by providing more frequent, convenient measurements outside the clinic, the authors emphasise that further validation, standardisation and regulatory oversight are needed before widespread clinical adoption. The technology shows promise for supporting personalised care and earlier detection of blood pressure changes.
Researchers have reported encouraging results from a first-in-human study investigating combined renal and hepatic artery denervation for the treatment of resistant hypertension. The procedure was shown to be feasible and safe, with participants experiencing meaningful reductions in blood pressure following treatment. While larger studies are needed to confirm long-term effectiveness, the findings suggest that targeting multiple sympathetic nerve pathways may offer a novel therapeutic approach for difficult-to-control hypertension.
The Heart Foundation has released a new Clinical Consensus Statement recognising obesity as a chronic, complex disease that substantially increases cardiovascular risk. The statement calls for earlier intervention, person-centred care and evidence-based treatment options, including lifestyle support, pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery where appropriate. It also encourages healthcare professionals to reduce weight stigma and work collaboratively with patients to improve long-term cardiovascular outcomes.
The latest Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report highlights the ongoing impact of hypertension across Australia, with millions of adults living with high blood pressure. Despite improvements in awareness and treatment, hypertension continues to be a leading contributor to heart disease, stroke and chronic kidney disease. The report reinforces the importance of prevention, early detection and effective blood pressure control to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease.
A new review highlights the important role community-based blood pressure screening can play in identifying people with previously undiagnosed or uncontrolled hypertension. Opportunistic screening programs using validated devices can improve awareness, particularly in populations with limited access to healthcare, while providing an important pathway into ongoing primary care. The authors stress that successful screening programs should always include appropriate referral and follow-up to support long-term blood pressure management.
This review examines how colonic pH, shaped by gut microbiota activity and dietary fibre fermentation, may influence blood pressure regulation and cardiovascular health. The authors highlight emerging evidence linking a higher colonic pH with hypertension and discuss how proton-sensing receptors such as GPR4, GPR65 and GPR68 may mediate immune and vascular pathways involved in blood pressure control.
Evany Dinakis is a postdoctoral researcher at Monash University and the Victorian Heart Institute whose research explores how diet, the gut microbiome, immune regulation and pH-sensing pathways influence blood pressure and cardiovascular health. Following completion of her PhD in the Hypertension Research Laboratory led by Professor Francine Marques, her award-winning work has provided new insights into the gut–immune mechanisms underpinning hypertension, including the first in-human evidence linking distinct colonic pH profiles with essential hypertension, helping to broaden future approaches to prevention, monitoring and treatment.
Dr Lakshini Herat is an early-career researcher at the University of Western Australia whose work focuses on understanding the role of the sympathetic nervous system in hypertension and cardiometabolic disease. Inspired by both personal experience and a passion for translational research, Lakshini is helping advance new approaches to preventing heart and kidney damage in people living with high blood pressure.
The Cardiometabolic Health and Exercise Physiology team at Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute is advancing research into the prevention and treatment of cardiometabolic disease through exercise interventions, integrative physiology techniques, and novel therapeutics. Their current work explores the neural and autonomic drivers of blood pressure control in conditions including hypertension, Long COVID and ME/CFS, while also investigating how exercise can protect cardiovascular health across the lifespan.
In a recent International Society of Hypertension podcast, Professor Grant Drummond shares insights into the importance of mentorship throughout a research career. Joined by Hypertension Australia members Professor Francine Marques and Dr Evany Dinakis, the discussion explores building successful mentor relationships, supporting early career researchers and creating positive research cultures.
The George Institute for Global Health is recruiting PhD candidates for the SaltSwitch program, an innovative research initiative focused on improving cardiovascular health through healthier food systems. The projects aim to reduce population salt intake and generate evidence to support strategies for preventing cardiovascular disease.
Join the ECR Committee online on Thursday 20 August for the Hypertension Australia Winter School 2026, where this year’s theme, Communicating Science for a Layperson Audience, will explore how to effectively communicate research beyond academia.
The program features keynote presentations from leading science communicators Dr Shane Huntington OAM, Professor Caroline Finch AO and Dr Jocelyne Mulangala, followed by presentations from early and mid-career researchers showcasing the latest hypertension and cardiovascular research.
Attendance is free, but registration is essential.
Early and mid-career researchers are also invited to submit an expression of interest to present their work.
The latest National Hypertension Taskforce update reflects on new AIHW data showing that hypertension remains one of Australia’s leading preventable risk factors for disease. While awareness and treatment rates have improved over time, blood pressure control remains well below the Taskforce’s target of 70% by 2030. The article outlines current priorities, including improving detection, supporting guideline implementation and strengthening collaboration across the health system.
The National Hypertension Taskforce has welcomed recent PBS changes allowing dual single-pill combinations to be prescribed as first-line treatment for hypertension. Aligning Australia with international best practice, the reforms are expected to simplify treatment, improve medication adherence and help more Australians achieve effective blood pressure control.
The National Hypertension Taskforce invites you to save the date for the National Hypertension Summit, to be held in Adelaide on 19 November 2026.
The Summit will bring together leaders from across the health sector to discuss progress and opportunities in improving blood pressure detection, treatment and control across Australia.
To stay up to date with Summit announcements and receive event updates, please contact admin@hypertensiontaskforce.au.
A large network meta-analysis comparing commonly prescribed antihypertensive medicines found angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) were associated with the lowest treatment discontinuation rates, indicating they are among the best tolerated first-line therapies. The combination of an ARB with a calcium channel blocker also demonstrated excellent tolerability, supporting current guideline recommendations that favour combination therapy to improve blood pressure control and long-term adherence.
The Australian Guideline for the Identification and Management of Hypertension in Children and Adolescents is now available on the Hypertension Australia website. Developed by an expert multidisciplinary team, including Hypertension Australia members Professor Jonathan Mynard and Dr Nicholas Larkins, the Australian-first guideline provides evidence-based recommendations to support the identification, diagnosis and management of hypertension in children and adolescents. The guideline is accompanied by practical clinical resources, including a paediatric blood pressure calculator, to support implementation in practice.
Accurate blood pressure measurement is essential for diagnosing and managing hypertension, yet small variations in technique can significantly affect readings. This practical review from Australian Prescriber outlines best-practice recommendations, including using validated devices with the correct cuff size, following a standardised measurement protocol, taking multiple readings and confirming diagnosis with home or ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. The article also discusses emerging technologies, such as wearable and cuffless devices, and their current limitations.
The Youth Vascular Consortium has launched a free online Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) Reference Calculator to help researchers and clinicians interpret arterial stiffness in children, adolescents and young adults. Developed using data from nearly 20,000 participants across multiple countries, the calculator provides age- and sex-specific reference values for aortic PWV measured using six different devices. By comparing an individual’s PWV with healthy peers, the tool supports the early identification of young people who may be experiencing accelerated vascular ageing and increased future cardiovascular risk.
May Measurement Month (MMM26) continues to gain momentum across Australia, with more than 1,500 people having their blood pressure checked at over 30 screening sites nationwide.
MMM would not be possible without the dedication of our volunteers and participating institutions. We sincerely thank everyone who has generously contributed their time and expertise to support this year’s campaign.
There is still time to get involved. Screening events will continue until 31 July 2026, with data submissions accepted until 31 August 2026. If you have not yet hosted an MMM screening event, there is still an opportunity to contribute to this important global initiative.
Together, we are helping more Australians know their numbers and take an important step towards preventing heart attack, stroke, kidney disease and other cardiovascular complications – one blood pressure check at a time. Be part of it. #MakeItCount
Those interested can find out more at https://www.maymeasure.org/get-involved.
High blood pressure isn’t just an adult condition – it can also affect children and adolescents. A new Australian-first guideline, now available on the Hypertension Australia website, aims to help healthcare professionals identify and manage high blood pressure earlier, improving health outcomes for young Australians.
Join us for the Hypertension Australia 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) taking place at the Rendezvous Hotel in Melbourne from Wednesday 2 – Friday 4 December 2026.
Bringing together leading Australian and international experts, the ASM will showcase the latest advances in hypertension research, clinical practice and cardiovascular health, with a particular focus on implementing the new 2026 Australian Hypertension Guidelines.
Researchers and clinicians are invited to submit an abstract to share their latest work with the hypertension community. The program includes dedicated presentation opportunities and prestigious awards recognising outstanding contributions from students, early and mid-career researchers and established investigators.
Abstract submissions close Friday 28 August 2026, while early bird registrations close Monday 28 September 2026.