Unique stroke team initiative and free blood pressure checks in community pharmacies helping prevent strokes in region
For Stroke Prevention Day (Thursday 30 January), NHS Midlands is focused on two initiatives in the region to ensure those who have experienced stroke, or may be at risk of stroke, have their blood pressure monitored.
The first is a new, 12-month project by seven community stroke services teams in the East Midlands Integrated Stroke Delivery Network. BP@Home carefully monitors stroke patients’ risk of recurring hypertension and stroke after hospital discharge by loaning blood pressure monitor machines to them. The patient monitors their blood pressure over four days and liases with the team and their GP to review medication when necessary. This process will be repeated up to seven cycles to bring a patient’s blood pressure within recommended limits.
An audit of 887 discharged stroke patients in the BP@Home scheme revealed that 658 of these were hypertensive (had high blood pressure) after the first week of discharge, 75 of which had dangerously high hypertension needing immediate attention. GPs and the community stroke team working together were able to identify and help those at risk of a second stroke.1
Claire Lee, Clinical Lead for Community Services and Rehabilitation, East Midlands Integrated Stroke Delivery Network, said: ” Hypertension and its consequences are associated with over 50% of ischemic and 70% of hemorrhagic strokes. As a result of these reviews and self-monitoring, 54% of patients were discharged after one cycle in the programme; and patients in the programme experienced an average reduction in systolic blood pressure of 10.5 mmHg helping reduce their risk of stroke by 25%.
“The BP@Home project aids the continuity of care for East Midlands stroke patients in partnership with healthcare professionals. The scheme encourages patients to take control of their own health by supporting and promoting long term management of blood pressure through home monitoring is in line with National Clinical Guidelines.
“The high discharge rates of BP@Home patients from the scheme after just one cycle of monitoring suggest that this new programme can be a cost effective way for NHS stroke teams to manage patients and reduce the number of patient visits to GP.”
Patient Richard Bakewell, 54 from Nottinghamshire has had four strokes.
He said: “Checking your blood pressure is very important. I always knew about blood pressure, but I never gave it a second thought until I had a stroke. When I got my blood pressure checked I was surprised at how high it was.
“The BP@Home programme is great and has made me more aware of my blood pressure. I now have my own monitor and proactively check my blood pressure every morning and night. I feel better for doing so.
“I would encourage everyone eligible to get theirs checked. It is so easy and convenient at your local pharmacy, and it can save your life.”
Another scheme to help prevent stroke in the Midlands urges people to get a free NHS blood pressure check at their local pharmacy. Over the past year, community pharmacies in the East Midlands gave free blood pressure checks to more than 196,000 people. Of those checked, 20,800 were found to have high blood pressure and are now getting their condition managed and their risk of serious illness reduced.
Around a third of adults in the UK have high blood pressure (hypertension) which rarely has noticeable symptoms but if untreated, it increases your risk of stroke. Stroke is the largest cause of disability in the UK and the fourth biggest killer. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is one of the leading causes of death in England.
According to a recent national survey, more than a third of Brits aren’t aware that high blood pressure is a risk factor for stroke.
The NHS community pharmacy blood pressure service is for anyone
- over the age of 40
- who 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.
Marina Abu-Aita, Pre-registration Pharmacist at Orchard Pharmacy, Mansfield said: “It is now easier than ever to get your blood pressure checked at your local pharmacy in the East Midlands.
“High blood pressure plays a part in about half of all strokes so knowing if you have a healthy blood pressure is extremely important.
“Too many people are unaware that pharmacies offer this kind of service, without needing to book an appointment. So, if you’re 40 and over, not already on blood pressure medication and haven’t had a check in the last six months, I urge you to go to your local pharmacy. It could be a life-saving trip.”
Patient Valerie Knight from Mansfield had her free blood pressure check at her local pharmacy. She said: “I was really pleased with the service. I went in for a vaccine and had my blood pressure checked whilst I was there. It was very easy and convenient and only took a few minutes.
“I would urge everyone eligible to get their blood pressure checked as soon as possible. I have always suffered with low blood pressure and thought there would be no issues, but my blood pressure came out high and I was put on medication. If I hadn’t have had my blood pressure checked I wouldn’t have known!”
The NHS community pharmacy blood pressure check service has been positively received, delivering more than a million checks nationally in the last year. It allows people to keep on top of their risk of cardiovascular disease without the need for a GP appointment.
It is recommended that all adults aged 40 or over have their blood pressure tested at least every five years.
The NHS online blood pressure tool can help you understand what your numbers mean and advise on any action you need to take.
If you have a recent blood pressure reading use the NHS Check your blood pressure tool to understand what your reading means. You’ll also get information about what to do next.
Other ways to reduce your risk of stroke include:
For more information visit:
Watch this short video to see the service in action.
Find a pharmacy that offers free blood pressure checks – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
