National Hypertension Summit 2025
December 2025 marked the second National Hypertension Summit in Adelaide.
The Summit demonstrated the National Hypertension Taskforce’s collaborative cross-sector approach to reducing the burden of high blood pressure in Australia. Representatives from across the sectors came together to review progress on the Taskforce’s Roadmap and its goal to increase Australia’s blood pressure control rates from 32% to 70% by 2030, and to discuss the next steps in delivering this work.
A highlight of the event was a keynote address by Prof. Michael Kidd AO, Australia’s Chief Medical Officer. He provided valuable insights into the importance of supporting the Taskforce’s objectives, by reflecting on public health and primary care perspectives on hypertension. Prof. Kidd reiterated the relevance of the Taskforce’s priority areas within the current health system context and underscored their significance in advancing national blood pressure control.
The Summit’s success was made possible through the contributions of many dedicated individuals. We extend our sincere thanks to all speakers, presenters, and panellists, as well as the organising committee and the members and organisations of the National Hypertension Taskforce. We wish to acknowledge the generous support of our Summit sponsors, AstraZeneca, Servier, the University of New South Wales, and Novartis.
A workshop on the forthcoming Australian Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Hypertension was presented by:
- Markus Schlaich, President, Hypertension Australia
- Garry Jennings AO, Chief Medical Advisor, Heart Foundation
- Dr Dannii Dougherty, Head of Clinical Evidence, Heart Foundation
The session outlined key elements of the guideline development process, including an introduction to the guideline and its methodology, the prioritisation of topics, progress update, and an overview of implementation theory and strategies. The workshop also offered an important opportunity for Summitt attendees to provide input.
The Summit also heard from Prof. Ross Tsuyuki from the University of Alberta, who presented on the Hypertension Canada Guideline. Prof. Tsuyuki spoke on the new process adopted for guideline development, noted the positive response to the Primary Care Guidelines, and highlighted current efforts focused on formal implementation and knowledge mobilisation.
A close collaboration between Hypertension Canada and Hypertension Australia has been established in the context of the guideline development process and implementation of recommendations.
- Alta Schutte and Prof. Markus Schlaich, National Hypertension Taskforce of Australia Co-Chairs, discussed the high-impact opportunities for the Taskforce to focus their collective efforts to achieve 70% national blood pressure control rates by 2030.
- Michael Kidd AO, Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, provided valuable reflections on the public health and primary care approaches that can help advance the Taskforce’s objectives.
The session and discussion were chaired by Prof. Alta Schutte.
The session and discussion were chaired by Prof. Markus Schlaich.
Dr Andrew Goodman presented on the ACvA funded project focused on preventing, detecting and effectively treating hypertension in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, which aims to develop an Indigenous led, self-determined application of the National Hypertension Taskforce’s Roadmap.
Prof. James Sharman discussed the implementation of the National Hypertension Taskforce’s position statement on automated office blood pressure (AOBP), acknowledging current barriers to AOBP measurement and emphasising the need for policy and practice changes to improve accuracy which is critical to increase blood pressure control from 32% to 70% by 2030.
A/Prof. Kathy Trieu shared the National Hypertension Taskforce’s position statement on potassium-enriched salt substitution and provided an update on the switch the salt to save your heart a Heart Foundation Catalyst Project. A/Prof. Trieu outlined the multi-faceted strategic approach to shift Australia’s salt supply towards potassium-enriched alternatives.
Dr Niamh Chapman presented on the implementation of the HEARTS Package in regional and remote Australia, outlining how the AUS Hearts project is supporting improved hypertension prevention and management in underserved communities
Dr Catherine Shang outlined the key recommendations from the ACvA National Cardiovascular Summit to strengthen Australia’s cardiovascular data landscape.
Prof. Alta Schutte discussed implementing single‑pill combination (SPC) antihypertensives and 60‑day dispensing in Australia, outlining key opportunities to strengthen national efforts to improve blood pressure control.
The session and discussion on unlocking the potential of team-based care in Australia were chaired by Prof. Alta Schutte.
Dr Ania Samarawickrama (Lucewicz) presented on the general practitioner perspective on implementing team-based care in real-world practice.
Mr Chris Campbell discussed the role of pharmacists as partners in hypertension management, highlighting how multidisciplinary care can advance the quality use of medicines.
Ms Amada Seeto discussed the successes and challenges of implementing a team‑based care approach to hypertension management in pharmacy.
Ms Kayley Meredith and Dr Catherine Stephen provided insights into the successes and challenges of nurse‑led hypertension management.
Ms Christine Rees shared consumer perspectives on the benefits of team-based care.
Prof. Markus Schlaich outlined novel therapies in hypertension management, including RDN, ETAs, ASIs, and siRNA.