Hypertension Expert Dr. Maria Delgado-Lelievre Discusses National AHA Role, Guideline Updates
Summary
- Dr. Maria Carolina Delgado-Lelievre is the newly appointed treasurer of the American Heart Association’s National Hispanic Latino Cardiovascular Collaborative.
- The AHA and the American College of Cardiology released updated hypertension guidelines that emphasize prevention, early diagnosis, individualized risk assessment and lifestyle-based prevention.
- Dr. Delgado-Lelievre’s work focuses on developing treatment algorithms that consider the physiology and biochemistry underlying hypertension.
Maria Carolina Delgado-Lelievre, M.D., director of the Comprehensive Hypertension Center at UHealth—University of Miami Health System, is the newly appointed treasurer of the American Heart Association’s (AHA) National Hispanic Latino Cardiovascular Collaborative. In this capacity, she joins an invitation-only team of experts dedicated to advancing heart health in Hispanic and Latino communities.
“UHealth is a leader in hypertension management, with the health system most recently receiving the Gold+ Level Achievement Award from the AHA and the American Medical Association,” said Dr. Delgado-Lelievre, an assistant professor in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. “This role allows me to contribute to a mission I deeply believe in, advancing heart health equity through research, advocacy and the empowerment of future leaders in medicine.”
The AHA and the American College of Cardiology released updated hypertension guidelines that emphasize prevention, early diagnosis, individualized risk assessment and lifestyle-based prevention. These new guidelines build upon the last major revision in 2017, placing a renewed focus on prevention and best practices.
“Blood pressure control has become a public health issue,” Dr. Delgado-Lelievre said. “About half of the U.S. population is hypertensive, with a significant amount dealing with uncontrolled hypertension despite the different medications and technology we have available. These new guidelines will shed light on areas of focus for better patient outcomes.”
Dr. Delgado-Lelievre shares insights into the collaborative’s mission, her response to the appointment and the broader significance of representation and mentorship in cardiovascular medicine.
How would you describe the National Hispanic Latino Cardiovascular Collaborative?
This is an amazing group that aims to close the gap in heart health within Hispanic and Latino communities. We aim to enhance the cardiovascular health of this demographic by increasing awareness, conducting research and developing policies as we train the next generation of Hispanic doctors who will work to help our community thrive.
What were your thoughts on being selected as treasurer?
You can only be a part of the organization by invitation. It was very nice to be welcomed by the president of the AHA to take part. As a woman and a minority, I’ve learned that strength grows with experience and age. There are many women and young doctors who feel uncertain about their paths, but it’s important for our community to see the power and potential of a dedicated Hispanic woman in medicine.
I plan to continue my focus by advancing research, specifically by developing treatment algorithms that consider the physiology and biochemistry underlying hypertension. More personalized treatments increase the likelihood of control, which in turn improves life expectancy.
Dr. Maria Carolina Delgado-Lelievre
What truly matters isn’t gender, but the intelligence, commitment and passion one brings to research and clinical work for the benefit of our communities. If you have the drive and heart to do meaningful work, you can achieve remarkable progress.
What will your role as treasurer consist of?
I will serve a two-year term, with my main goals being to support research, outreach and education involving Hispanics. I am already working to improve the cardiovascular health of Hispanic communities, not only through patient care but also through education and outreach. I will ensure our funds are managed responsibly as we set our target goals to support the growth of our programs.
What comes next for your goals in academic medicine?
My work centers on identifying distinct hypertensive profiles to guide more personalized care. I plan to continue my focus by advancing research, specifically by developing treatment algorithms that consider the physiology and biochemistry underlying hypertension in different individuals. More personalized treatments increase the likelihood of control, which in turn improves life expectancy.
How do the new hypertension guidelines differ from the previous?
The new guideline implementations begin with redefining blood pressure targets. The recommendations reaffirm the critical threshold of 130/80 mmHg for early intervention, replacing the previous threshold of 140/90 mmHg.
Adding on to the number change was the implementation of the Predicting Risk of Cardiovascular Disease EVENTs risk calculator to help determine the intensity of treatment based on individual patient risk factors.
Why is it important to apply these new guideline changes?
It’s not just about a number. Physicians need to be aware of these risks to treat their patients properly. One of the major risks emphasized in the guidelines is avoiding alcohol due to associations with worsened blood pressure and brain cell damage.
It’s also important to reduce sodium intake, noting that most hypertensive individuals are salt-sensitive and that the majority of dietary salt comes from processed foods rather than personal seasoning.
What are other key takeaways from the new hypertension guidelines?
A closer examination of the new guidelines shows support for renal artery denervation for the first time. New technologies to measure blood pressure are also prevalent. UHealth is the first academic institution to routinely employ a cuffless ambulatory blood pressure monitor, enabling accurate measurement of blood pressure changes without patient interference. Blood pressure measurement during pregnancy has also become of importance for the AHA, as recent studies found that many women develop hypertension post-pregnancy.
Tags: Comprehensive Hypertension Center, Dr. Maria Delgado-Lelievre, Hypertension Clinic, precision medicine, preventive care, renal denervation