Clinic description

In the OHSU Comprehensive Hypertension Program, we specialize in the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension), which is difficult to manage. Physicians in primary care, obstetrics, cardiology, nephrology, endocrinology, and other specialties refer patients to our program for second or third opinions on the cause and treatment of hypertension. Dr. Rob Rope is a board-certified hypertension specialist who is Program Director. The clinic also participates in hypertension research trials, see below for further information.

Services at this clinic

We offer individualized care to patients who have hypertension that is resistant to traditional management, complicated by other health conditions (such as a high risk of cardiovascular disease), or due to an identifiable cause requiring a specific treatment.

Our team specializes in the assessment and treatment of secondary hypertension, which is high blood pressure due to a specific cause, like a blocked artery, certain hormonal abnormalities, genetic abnormalities, or tumors. After a thorough diagnostic evaluation, a blood pressure management strategy tailored to each patient is developed and implemented. When indicated, Dr. Rope and our other clinic providers work closely with pharmacists, surgeons, and other providers who assist in the diagnosis and management of complicated hypertension cases. All patients are seen initially by nephrology fellows (internal medicine physicians receiving additional training in hypertension) who are involved in the patient’s care during their academic year.

At times, we ask patients to wear a small, portable device for blood pressure monitoring. Called Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (APBM), this technique takes numerous measurements of a patient’s blood pressure over a 24-hour period. ABPM provides a more accurate picture of your blood pressure than a reading taken in the doctor’s office and can be used to assess cardiovascular risk.  In the clinic, office BP measurements are taken following a precise, automated clinical protocol to minimize erroneous measurements.

Healthcare Providers

Emily Skogrand, PharmD