New research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2025 shows that a family-based intervention significantly reduced blood pressure among adults in rural China. The Healthy Family Program, conducted in 80 villages, engaged entire families in lifestyle changes, resulting in an average 10 mm Hg drop in systolic blood pressure over six months compared to control groups. Even after the program ended, participants maintained a 3.7 mm Hg lower systolic blood pressure, suggesting lasting behavior change.
The study, led by Professor Xin Du, M.D., Ph.D., from Beijing Anzhen Hospital and the Ruyang Rural Health Institute, randomized half of the villages to receive the intervention. Local health workers trained one person per household as a “family leader” to monitor blood pressure using a free device and a smartphone app that gave feedback and care recommendations. Families also received low-sodium, potassium-enriched salt substitutes and attended educational sessions on diet, exercise, and weight management.
“Most blood pressure programs focus on treatment for people with high blood pressure, whereas our study included the whole family regardless of their blood pressure levels,” Du said. The approach aimed to prevent hypertension and reduce cardiovascular risk across communities with limited healthcare resources.
The six-month active phase included regular monitoring and group activities. After that, the free salt substitutes and formal education stopped, but families kept the monitors and app. Six months later, the intervention group still showed a 3.7 mm Hg lower systolic blood pressure, indicating sustained healthy habits.
This family-centered model could transform cardiovascular prevention, especially in rural or under-resourced settings. “By involving entire families and communities rather than treating individuals, we can likely reduce everyone’s risk of heart attack and stroke,” Du noted.
However, the study has limitations. It was conducted only in rural China, so applicability elsewhere is uncertain. The six-month intervention was too short to measure reductions in heart attacks or strokes. Some participants migrated for work, potentially affecting results. Also, local government support was crucial for implementation.
Despite these caveats, the findings highlight the potential of family-based strategies to address hypertension, a leading cause of heart disease and stroke worldwide. The American Heart Association’s Target: BP initiative has similarly shown success in managing hypertension.
