Dear Colleagues and Community Members,
I am excited to share another packed edition of our newsletter! So much is happening and we tried to cover some of it. We encourage you to also send us any updates or news items, as we would be delighted to help share this widely amongst our community.
Also, please feel free to share this newsletter in your circles. We also welcome anyone interested in becoming a member of Hypertension Australia (join here if you are not yet a member).
In this edition:
Happy reading!
Alta Schutte
Chair, Communications Committee
Hypertension Australia
If you would like to have this newsletter delivered to your inbox, please subscribe here.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its Guideline on the Use of Lower-Sodium Salt Substitutes, providing evidence-based recommendations to help reduce sodium intake and combat hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
Excess sodium consumption is a major contributor to high blood pressure, a leading risk factor for stroke and heart disease. These new guidelines explore the role of lower-sodium salt substitutes as a practical strategy for reducing sodium intake while maintaining flavour.
As an organisation committed to hypertension prevention, Hypertension Australia welcomes these recommendations and encourages our community to explore how they may inform dietary choices, clinical practice, and public health policies in Australia.
A recent review has highlighted potential changes to hypertension guidelines, focusing on patients who may not be receiving adequate long-term therapy. The changes could lead to more tailored treatments for individuals whose hypertension remains poorly controlled, helping to better manage risks of cardiovascular events.
Dr Garry Jennings, a board member of Hypertension Australia, is among those advocating for these changes to improve patient care and outcomes in the long term.
Hypertension Australia members Eleanor Clapham (left) and Niamh Chapman (right) have recently examined international guidelines for home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) and found significant inconsistencies, particularly in time-based recommendations.
These variations may create challenges for patient education and clinical practice. Their findings highlight the need for more consistent guidance to improve hypertension management. The International Society of Hypertension has published their findings in their recent Hypertension News publication on page 16.
May Measurement Month (MMM) is a global blood pressure screening initiative led in Australia by Professor Markus Schlaich. Each year, hospitals, universities, pharmacies, and community groups across the country set up free screening sites to check blood pressure, identify undiagnosed hypertension, and provide lifestyle advice. By joining MMM, your institution can play a vital role in improving awareness and reducing the burden of high blood pressure in Australia.
To get involved or learn more, contact Derrin Brockman at derrin.brockman@uwa.edu.au or 08 9224 0209. Further resources are available at www.maymeasure.org/about
The rollout of OMRON HEM7361T AFIB blood pressure devices to over 4,500 pharmacies across Australia is nearing completion. This initiative, a collaboration between Hypertension Australia and Omron, has significantly expanded access to accurate blood pressure screening. By equipping pharmacies with these devices, we are empowering individuals to monitor their cardiovascular health more effectively and raising awareness of the dangers of undiagnosed hypertension.
Researchers at the University of Newcastle & HMRI Food and Nutrition Research Program are looking for Australian adults to complete an online survey to learn more about the relationship between diet and other health related factors.
Participants will be invited to re-take the survey at 6 and 12 months.
All participants completing both surveys will be entered in a prize draw to win one of five $100 gift vouchers at each of the three occasions. Participants who complete the online survey and meet additional criteria may be eligible to complete in-person measures at the University of Newcastle (optional).
For more information, please contact the research group based at University of Newcastle via email – PrecisionNutrition@newcastle.edu.au.
Additional information:
This project has been approved by the University’s Human Research Ethics Committee, Approval No. [H-2023-0414].
Hypertension Australia member Isabella Tan has explored the importance of reaching culturally and linguistically diverse communities with vital health information. Her article highlights innovative strategies to bridge communication gaps and ensure equitable healthcare access for all Australians.
After approximately 2 years of work by a terrific, dedicated team of experts from around the country, a draft of the Paediatric Hypertension Guideline has been finalised and will be sent to potential endorsing bodies, and wide consultation will begin in the next few weeks. The recommendations have been adapted from the American Academy of Paediatrics guideline, taking into consideration the Australian context and updated evidence. In parallel, the guideline committees have been working on implementation tools, with the development of resources such as a DASH diet for children one-pager, an online calculator that aligns with our recommendations, and advocating to improve access to ABPM for children who need it.
If you would like to be involved in the guideline consultation process, please contact A/Prof Jonathan Mynard at jonathan.mynard@mcri.edu.au.
Dr Katrina Kissock is a Research Fellow at The George Institute for Global Health, New South Wales. As an early career researcher, Katrina’s passion for the relationship between nutrition and health – particularly in the context of cardiovascular disease – has driven her career as a dietitian and researcher. Katrina has a PhD and has worked closely with patients managing chronic conditions, including hypertension and cardiovascular disease, and became deeply invested in finding practical and sustainable dietary solutions to reduce risk and improve health outcomes.
This spotlight is on the work of the Hypertension and Diabetes Research Division at the Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Disease Research, La Trobe University. This dedicated team is led by A/Prof Antony Vinh and Dr Maria Jelinic, and includes Dr Courtney Judkins, Dr Hericka Bruna Figueiredo Galvao, Dr Vivian Tran, PhD Students Ms Flavia Wassef, Ms Buddhila Wickramasinghe, Ms Tayla Gibson Hughes, Mr Jake Robertson and Ms Ghaida Moria, Masters student Mr Roberto Iaconis and Honour students Mr Patrick Francis and Mr Vinh Nguyen Son Ngo.
Hypertension Australia is pleased to partner with the Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists (ASCEPT) for the ASCEPT and Hypertension Australia Joint Scientific Meeting, taking place 9 – 12 December in Adelaide, Australia.
This premier event will bring together leading researchers, clinicians, and healthcare professionals to explore the latest advancements in hypertension, pharmacology, and toxicology.
Mark your calendars and stay tuned for further details, including abstract submissions and registration.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler, demonstrated his strong support for the National Hypertension Summit 2024, hosted by the Hypertension Taskforce.
Minister Butler’s endorsement underscores the importance of addressing hypertension as a leading contributor to cardiovascular disease in Australia. The summit successfully brought together healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers to discuss key strategies for improving hypertension prevention and management across the country.
The summit’s discussions and recommendations are already influencing ongoing efforts to reduce the burden of hypertension and improve public health outcomes in Australia. Hypertension Australia continues to support the Taskforce’s work and its mission to advance the fight against high blood pressure.
Co-lead of the Australian National Hypertension Taskforce Professor Alta Schutte, Dr Niamh Chapman and Professor Liz Halcomb are leading an editorial team in the Journal of Hypertension for a special issue on Community Engagement to Improve Blood Pressure Management. Papers on original research and/or innovative methods are invited for this special issue on the following topics related to hypertension:
Submissions are open from February 2025 to May 2025 with a view to publish the issue late 2025.
This is a reminder that Hypertension Australia membership renewals were sent out in January. Renew now to continue accessing exclusive member benefits, including:
As a member of Hypertension Australia you will receive:
Are you passionate about helping fellow ECRs? Do you thrive in collaborative environments where ideas flourish and innovation take centre stage? If so, you are invited to join Hypertension Australia’s ECR Committee!
As a member of the ECR Committee, you will have the opportunity to:
Whether you are a graduate student, postdoc, or other health professional, all ECRs (<10 years post-PhD) are encouraged to apply. Individuals from diverse backgrounds and disciplines are welcome.
Apply to be on the ECR Committee by submitting a one-page EOI addressing:
Submit your one-page EOI, to admin@hypertension.org.au by 14 April 2025. Please do not hesitate to contact ECR Committee Chair Dr Bhavisha Bakrania (b.bakrania@uq.edu.au) for further information.
If you would like to have the opportunity to be involved in the Hypertension Australia community, click here to apply for membership.
The NHMRC Primary Aldosteronism Centre of Research Excellence (PACE) has established the Capacity Building Program to promote and increase the research capability and capacity of health professionals and researchers, who manage hypertension in various disciplines, including allied health and nursing.
The Program will financially support two streams to build capability and capacity within the healthcare and research workforce to improve the diagnosis and management of primary aldosteronism:
Stream 1: PACE Research Capacity Building Travel Awards
Stream 2: PACE Professional Training Opportunity Grants
For further information and to apply for these funding opportunities, please click here.
Applications close 5pm AEST on 5 May 2025.