Should we treat high blood pressure in the hospital to improve outcomes for adults during admission?
Official title: Evaluating Whether Treating Elevated Blood Pressure in the Inpatient Setting Impacts Patient Outcomes: the ACT-BP pilot
Funded at Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru · NIH-11375960 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests whether the way hospitals handle suddenly high blood pressure in patients admitted for any reason affects their recovery and risk of complications.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $362,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R34HL173138-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11375960 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21+ admitted to hospitals who experience elevated BP (≥140/90) during their stay, regardless of symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose elevated BP is clinically warranted to treat due to symptoms or specific conditions may not benefit from a change in standard inpatient practice.
What this research studies
If funded, ACT-BP will test a hospital-unit level approach to manage asymptomatic high blood pressure by removing automatic prompts to treat, educating staff about potential harms of unnecessary treatment, and offering safer alternatives like closer monitoring. The study focuses on adults 21 and older admitted to hospitals and will explore how these changes influence readmissions, end-organ damage, and cardiovascular events. It seeks to determine whether avoiding routine escalation of antihypertensive therapy when symptoms are minimal can improve patient outcomes. Researchers will monitor BP trends, treatment decisions, and patient safety in real-world hospital settings. The aim is to provide clear guidance for inpatient BP management that balances risks and benefits for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could reduce unnecessary treatments, lower complication rates, and improve overall outcomes for hospitalized patients with elevated BP.
How similar studies have gone: Previous observational studies suggested harms from over-treating asymptomatic inpatient BP elevations; randomized, unit-level trials are needed to confirm effects.
Where this research is happening
-
Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pfoh, Elizabeth Rose — Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
- Study coordinator: Pfoh, Elizabeth Rose
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Actions to Decrease Disparities in Blood Pressure Control for Blacks
Aiming to help Black patients manage high blood pressure by using nurses, community health workers, and home monitoring in real-world clinics.
-
Cognitive behavioral therapy and trazodone for insomnia phenotypes with high blood pressure
A clinical study tests how CBT-I and the sleep drug trazodone work for adults with insomnia and high blood pressure, focusing on a specific sleep duration pattern.
-
Music-powered tools to boost blood pressure and stroke prevention for Nigerian youth and their older caregivers
This project uses popular music to help Nigerian youths and their older family members start and stick to blood pressure and stroke prevention habits.
-
Non-invasive, continuous blood pressure monitoring for prenatal maternal health
A wearable device from PyrAmes uses comfortable, non-invasive sensors and smart software to constantly monitor a pregnant person’s blood pressure and heart health so doctors can protect both mom and baby.
-
Smartphone app helps pregnant women in Ghana monitor blood pressure at home
A smartphone app is being customized for pregnant women in Ghana to support home blood pressure monitoring and improve safety during pregnancy.
-
Nap duration during night shifts and blood pressure health
A Phase II study will test how long night shift naps should be to restore normal blood pressure patterns and maintain safe performance, while considering caffeine use, for night workers.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.