New Guidelines for Monitoring Blood Pressure at Home

New guidelines for patients with high blood pressure are on there way in England and Wales. A mobile device will record blood pressure over a 24 hour period. This home monitoring of blood pressure is likely to save the NHS an estimated £10.5M.

High blood pressure (blood pressure of 140/90mmHg or more) affects about a quarter of all adults in the UK. It is a leading risk factor for heart disease or stroke and costs the NHS about £1bn a year in drugs alone.

At the moment, GPs want the patient suspected of high blood pressure to visit the clinic at least twice and only then will the doctor will make a formal diagnosis. Only then will a patient is likely to prescribed blood pressure lowering medication.

Monitoring blood pressure at home could not be easier with modern digital monitors. Read our reviews of blood pressure monitoring devices for home use.