Hypertension Management in Cancer Patients

This is a 12-week prospective study with two phases. In Phase 1 (Weeks 1-4), participants will self-monitor their blood pressure using the Qardio bluetooth device. In Phase 2 (Weeks 5-12), the investigators will implement the auto-messaging system triggered by a weekly average systolic blood pressure >140 mm Hg or diastolic pressure >90 mm Hg. As per the recommendation of the ACC/AHA, the target blood pressure for patients with Stage A (at risk for heart failure) is systolic <130 / diastolic <80. This guideline is also consistent with the ACC/AHA blood pressure guideline for patients at risk for myocardial infarction. For this pilot study, our target blood pressure in messaging to Duke primary care providers will be <140 mm Hg and <90 mm Hg. For this study, the investigators will adapt the conceptual framework of Muldoon and colleagues whereby home blood pressure monitoring is combined with office blood pressures to optimize data for the PCP's clinical decision-making.

The investigators will use the QardioArm wireless upper arm blood pressure monitor. The investigators opted to use this device because it is validated, and has been approved to be integrated into the Duke EHR system. This QardioArm monitor is compatible with both iPhone and Android devices, which will provide an efficient method of transferring Bluetooth data to Epic. Within Epic, the home blood pressures will be uploaded directly from a smartphone to REVIEW FLOWSHEETS, MYCHART HEALTKIT TRACKER.

Participants will use the QardioArm device to obtain 3 separate blood pressure measurements per week (2 morning, 1 evening). The 2 morning blood pressure measurements will be taken between 5-11am before any caffeine intake or exercise. The evening blood pressure measurement will be taken between 4-12pm. During Phase 1, the investigators will review the individual and weekly average blood pressures and identify values that appear to be in error. This review will be used to refine the system and further train the participants on home blood pressure measurements if needed. Also during this phase, the investigators will develop the Blood Pressure Management Clinical Pathway for Patients and Survivors, based upon the ACC/AHA blood pressure guidelines and the ACC/AHA guidelines for prevention of cardiotoxicity. Lastly, in this phase, the investigators will develop the primary care provider messages to be implemented in Phase 2. These short messages will alert the Duke primary care provider that an abnormal weekly average blood pressure triggered the message and provide the target blood pressure for the patient. The primary care provider will be asked to either evaluate the patient in clinic or manage by telephone. A copy of the message will also be routed to the patient and to the primary oncologist. The investigators will also include a link within the message to an internal Maestro site for further details regarding the blood pressure target levels, a brief description of the chemotherapy the patient is on, and preferred antihypertensive medications in this population. Consistent with the ACC/AHA guidelines for hypertension management, including patients receiving cardiotoxic therapy, the investigators will use the following classification system for the weekly average systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Normal: systolic 95-120 mm Hg, diastolic <80; Elevated: systolic 120-129, diastolic < 80; Stage 1 Hypertension: systolic 130-139, diastolic 80-89; Stage 2 Hypertension: > 140, diastolic > 90. In Phase 2, the investigators will implement and test the clinical pathways and messaging system.

A total of 40 patients with a diagnosis of hypertension who are 18-74 years old who fall under the following criteria will be screened:

- 10 women with Stage 1-III breast cancer who are on active cancer therapy and are receiving either an anthracycline (doxorubicin) or antiHER2 (trastuzumab or pertuzumab)

- 10 men with prostate cancer on androgen deprivation therapy (ADT)

- 10 individuals with CLL on ibrutinib therapy

- 10 HSCT survivors (who had a malignancy)

- Have a smartphone (iPhone or Android)

- Have a Duke primary care provider and Duke oncologist (who is being treated at the Duke Cancer Center)

- Have access or willing to set up access to Duke MyChart (patient portal).

- English speaking patients

The investigators selected these four groups for the following reasons. Stage I-III breast cancer has a 5-year cure rate exceeding 90%. Anthracyclines (doxorubicin) and antiHER2 therapy (trastuzumab or pertuzumab), mainstays of breast cancer therapy, are cardiotoxic and associated with acute and long-term heart failure. Pre-existing hypertension is a key risk factor for development of heart failure in this group. Androgen deprivation therapy is associated with an increased risk of CVD, again, hypertension is a key risk factor for development of CVD in this group. Monotherapy with ibrutinib, or similar novel tyrosine kinase inhibitors, has substantially extended life expectancy for individuals with symptomatic or advanced CLL. Notably, ibrutinib may lead to new onset or progressive hypertension and/or atrial fibrillation. HSCT survivors are exposed to cardiotoxic therapies (anthracyclines, chest radiotherapy) pre-HSCT. Post HSCT complications (GvHD) and chronic comorbidities (hypertension) also contribute to the group's increased risk for developing CVD and congestive heart failure. Thus, blood pressure management is an essential component to improving long-term outcomes for patients in these four groups.

To develop and implement the messaging system, it is important to have the patient, the oncologist, and the primary care provider all in the Duke EHR and patient portal.