High Blood Pressure
What is hypertension?
High blood pressure, or hypertension, rarely has noticeable symptoms. But if untreated, it increases your risk of serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-pressure-hypertension/
How is Swan Medical Group managing the monitoring of people with hypertension?
Most people with established hypertension are not unwell, but they do need to have an annual review and an annual blood test.
We are now offering patients the opportunity to complete a form with such information as their Blood Pressure, weight, smoking status etc. and return it to the surgery at the same time as having their routine yearly hypertension monitoring blood test done. This ensures that the checks needed are completed without the patient having to make a booked appointment with an HCP. All results are reviewed by their GP who will contact the patient if anything needs changing.
If, however, an individual would like to have help with this or wants to speak to a HCP, they may attend a small group session where all this can be done and there will be time to ask relevant questions about their condition at this time.
If someone also has diabetes or prediabetes, they do not need to attend a specific hypertension review as all the checks will be included in their diabetes and prediabetes assessments, which we encourage them to attend.
The process for the hypertension groups is
- Letter of invitation will be sent to the patient including a blood request form and a form with the relevant questions.
- The patient gets a blood test done and the GP will review the results
- The patient can then either attend group or complete form and return to the surgery. High BP readings will trigger further action by the HCP and change in medications may be discussed with GP or prescribing nurse.
- Any concerns re blood pressure can be addressed on the day in the group if the individual is happy to do this or directly with the nurse running the group at the end of the session.
- Once the patient has provided all the required information they can leave.
We are also pleased to announce that we can now sell patients their own home use BP monitor if you wish, this is a British Heart Foundation approved model and only costs £15, please ask at reception for full details.
For patients who are carrying out home blood pressure monitor readings, please see this LINK to our guidance and instructions, once these results are submitted to the practice we will average these results and add to your medical record, if any issues with the readings are identified a HCP will be in touch.
