NHS Hypertension Case-Finding

What is Hypertension?

Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a chronic medical condition characterised by elevated blood pressure levels within the arteries. Blood pressure is the force exerted by the blood against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps it throughout the body. It is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and is expressed as two values: systolic pressure over diastolic pressure.

How We Can Help

Zain the Chemist plays a crucial role in helping individuals manage hypertension, the NHS service aims to:

• Identify people aged 40 years or older, or at the discretion of pharmacy staff, people under the age of 40, with high blood pressure (who have previously not had a confirmed diagnosis of hypertension), and to refer them to general practice to confirm diagnosis and for appropriate management;
• At the request of a general practice, undertake ad hoc clinic and ambulatory blood pressure measurements. These requests can be in relation to people either with or without a diagnosis of hypertension; and
• Provide another opportunity to promote healthy behaviours to patients.