Investigating, diagnosing and managing high blood pressure.
Our Hypertension Clinics are primarily for the diagnosis and management of high blood pressure (hypertension). They are part of a monitoring drive to screen patients for undetected hypertension, a condition that rarely makes people feel ill, but is associated with increased risks of stroke, heart failure, heart attack, and other serious conditions. The higher the blood pressure, the greater the risk. Once diagnosed, however, it can be treated with medication or lifestyle changes.
Who is it for?
We proactively search for patients who have had a blood pressure reading of ≥135/85 (home) or ≥140/90 (clinic) within the past 2 years and need a 7-day average and possible further tests to exclude or diagnose hypertension. It is also for patients who would benefit from borrowing a blood pressure monitor to use at home to get multiple readings. Patients who already have a diagnosis of hypertension may occasionally be offered an appointment for a review.
How does it work?
No existing diagnosis of hypertension.
If you do not have a diagnosis of hypertension but have had an elevated blood pressure reading within the past 2 years, we send you a text message asking for an up-to-date reading. We have a blood pressure machine in the Reception waiting room that is free to use during opening hours; you can also go to your local pharmacy or use a home monitor.
If your new reading is ≥135/85 at home, or ≥140/90 in a healthcare setting, you will be invited to take your blood pressure at home over 7 consecutive days. We text you a blood pressure questionnaire to enter your morning and evening readings. If you prefer, complete our online Blood Pressure Review Form with instructions. We can lend you a blood pressure monitor if you need one. If your average 7-day home reading is ≥135/85, you will be contacted to attend the clinic for further tests, which may include a blood test, urinalysis and an ECG (an electrocardiogram, or ECG, is a simple test that checks your heart rhythm and electrical activity).
Depending on the results, our Clinical Pharmacists will be able to provide lifestyle advice, make a referral to our Social Prescriber, or book you in for a follow-up with the GP.
You have hypertension
If you have an existing diagnosis of hypertension, our Clinical Pharmacists can see you for a review to monitor and discuss your response to therapy (medications) and lifestyle modifications.
NHS Community Pharmacy Blood Pressure Check Service
The NHS Community Pharmacy Blood Pressure Check Service supports risk identification and prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
This service will:
- identify people over the age of 40 who have previously not been diagnosed with hypertension (high blood pressure), and to refer those with suspected hypertension for appropriate management.
- promote healthy behaviours to service users.
- undertake ad hoc clinic and ambulatory blood pressure measurements at the request of general practice.
What the service will provide
A community pharmacist will opportunistically measure the blood pressure of consenting adults who come into the pharmacy, by offering anyone a free blood pressure check who:
- is over the age of 40;
- has not previously been identified as having hypertension or a related condition; and
- has not had their blood pressure measured by a health professional within the previous six months.
At the end of a consultation, where readings indicate:
- normal blood pressure, the pharmacist will promote healthy behaviours.
- high blood pressure, the pharmacist will offer Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) from the pharmacy and will also promote healthy behaviours.
- very high blood pressure, the pharmacist will urgently refer the patient to see their GP within 24 hours and the pharmacist will inform the patient’s GP practice by NHS mail or via another locally agreed platform.
- low blood pressure, the pharmacist will provide appropriate advice and may also refer the patient to their GP if there are any concerns.
All blood pressure readings are sent to the general practice from the community pharmacy so records can be updated and appropriate action taken.
In addition
- General practices can refer patients to a participating community pharmacy for a clinic blood pressure reading or for 24 hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.
- There are no specific requirements set for referrals from general practice to allow contractors to work with general practices to agree a local process which will work for both parties. Different practices may require different levels of support, so an open approach allows flexibility for contractors to support each practice as needed, at a local level.