200,000 free blood pressure monitors to be given out on the NHS

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Free blood pressure monitors given out to help prevent strain on the NHS

More than 200,000 free blood pressure monitors are to be given out to people with uncontrolled high blood pressure to help prevent heart attacks and strokes. The NHS has already sent out 65,000 of the monitors that work similarly to the units used in GP practices. 

Patients wrap the smaller machine around their upper arm, take their readings, and then send them to their GP. They can then get a review on the numbers by telephone, email, through a digital remote monitoring platform. 

The NHS has a new initiative called the NHS Long Term Plan and it is estimated to prevent 2,200 heart attacks and almost 3,300 strokes over the next five years. 

Patients are reporting a sense of relief after receiving the new machines. Davis, 68, from Darlington, said he felt “very anxious” after having a mini-stroke in January. He was left with very high blood pressure after the incident. Now after receiving a unit, he said: “After discussion with the GP, I feel I understand my blood pressure better and feel happy I can monitor it at home and send it to the GP without going across town.”

The advice from the NHS is all adults over the age of 40 should get their blood pressure checked at least once every five years. Pharmacies that represent the NHS in England are now able to provide this service. The ideal measurement according to the NHS website is considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg.


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Written by

Claire Gordon

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