Risk reduction intervention for raised blood pressure (REVERSE). V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Risk reduction intervention for raised blood pressure (REVERSE): A feasibility study exploring the use of blood pressure self-monitoring.
IRAS ID
282624
Contact name
Emma P Bray
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Central Lancashire
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN13649483
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 5 months, 31 days
Research summary
Research Summary
Self-monitoring of blood pressure may increase awareness of blood pressure levels and prompt people with raised blood pressure (pre-hypertension) to modify their lifestyle. This research will examine whether self-monitoring is practical and acceptable for people with raised blood pressure and relevant community healthcare providers. Raised blood pressure occurs before the threshold of high blood pressure (hypertension), and although it is known to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, individuals are not usually made aware of raised blood pressure. By identifying and alerting people to raised blood pressure, an intervention might prevent cardiovascular disease. It may also help health professionals to reduce the cost and workload caused by preventable cardiovascular diseases. We will recruit people from pharmacies, GPs and work-place providers in Lancashire offering the NHS ‘Health Check’. People aged 18+, with raised blood pressure, will be invited to take part. Participants must not have had a diagnosis of high blood pressure, nor have been on blood pressure medications. We will provide equipment for participants to self-monitor their blood pressure at home. They will record two blood pressure readings on three days every month, for six months. We will ask them to complete questionnaires and invite them to take part in an interview to find out if self-monitoring is acceptable to them and to find out about their experiences with self-monitoring, its benefits, any problems they have experienced, and how it might be improved. To find out if self-monitoring is a feasible intervention we will assess the time taken to recruit the target number of eligible people, the number of people who are recruited but who do not complete the study, and whether people check their blood pressure on schedule. This will help decide whether a future larger study is needed, looking at the impact self-monitoring has on people's health, longer-term.
Summary of Results
Aims and Objectives: This study examined if it was acceptable and feasible for people to self-monitor their raised blood pressure (BP), if this was arranged through their GP or pharmacy. Background Raised BP occurs before someone crosses the threshold for high BP. Individuals are not usually aware of raised BP, but identifying this early and taking action may prevent heart disease (cardiovascular disease or CVD). It could also help the NHS to reduce costs and workload.
Methods: People with raised BP who weren’t taking BP medication were identified from their GP records or an NHS health check. 75 people received a machine to self-monitor their BP monthly for six months. Interviews and a survey evaluated the study.
Key Findings: Uptake was good in GP practices, but not pharmacies. Staff and patients thought the study worked well. Most patients found monitoring their own BP “straightforward”. The participants were mainly White, from higher socioeconomic groups and well-educated, so it’s not clear how far the findings can be applied to other groups.
Dissemination, outputs and impact: The study has increased awareness of the significance of raised BP. Academic papers, reports and presentations by the research team and public advisors will inform the participants, staff and the public about the results.
Patient and public involvement: We held discussion groups with members of the public about the acceptability of self-monitoring for raised BP. Two lay people (public advisors) joined the research team; they attended research meetings, and helped to design study materials, train participants, and disseminate the findings.
Conclusions and future plans: Self-monitoring for raised BP is feasible and acceptable in General Practice but not pharmacy. Future work, involving a more diverse population, will develop ways to manage raised BP and test whether these are effective in reducing risk of CVD.
REC name
London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/PR/0108
Date of REC Opinion
14 Mar 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion