BP Self-Screening Feasibility Study

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Blood Pressure Self-Screening in the Community: A Feasibility Study

  • IRAS ID

    130885

  • Contact name

    Alison Ward

  • Contact email

    alison.ward@phc.ox.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University of Oxford

  • Research summary

    High blood pressure – or hypertension - is a major risk factor for suffering a heart attack or stroke. It is often symptomless with people unaware of their condition. Most screening for hypertension is done opportunistically when people visit their GP or practice nurse. The development of automatic blood pressure monitors means that self-screening is now possible: people could check their own blood pressure at screening stations. There has been little research done about how to organise this and if it is an effective way to reduce the number of people with undiagnosed hypertension.

    Blood pressure self-screening stations will be placed in 3 locations (2 GP surgeries and 1 pharmacy) for 12 months. We will investigate if patients opt to transfer their self-screened blood pressure measurements into their medical notes and how the results compare to those taken in primary care. Using the information gathered, we will estimate if it is a cost-effective way of finding people with undiagnosed hypertension. We will also interview people learn more about their experiences of using or hosting the service.

    The study is funded by the National Institute of Health Research.

  • REC name

    South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    14/SW/1167

  • Date of REC Opinion

    11 Dec 2014

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion