£250K Helps Fund a New Blood Pressure Study From UCLAN

Have you noticed that since the beginning of the pandemic we have had to take more personal measures for  our own health and wellbeing. This is because our local doctor’s surgery is not allowing patients into their practice so as to prevent the increase of COVID-19 sufferers. 

 

We can respond to this in a negative or positive way. The latter seems more appropriate especially in the interest of others. 

 

This being the case what additional  help can give us the best possible health?

 

Recently UCLAN has been awarded almost £250k from the National Institute of Health Research. This essential funding will go towards a new study which will determine how people with raised blood pressure may be able to monitor their own levels to become more aware and prevent serious heart conditions.

 

The much  established stroke research based at the UCLAN School of Nursing will participate in a thirty month project which will involve 90 people enrolled through the following three domains:-

These willing volunteers will use a home blood pressure monitor to assess how it increases preventive awareness of raised blood pressure and other associated issues.

 

Dr Emma Bray, senior research fellow at the UCLAN School of Nursing explains the urgency of such a study and how it will help people, 

 

“Evidence shows that people with blood pressure in the pre-hypertensive range are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. There is plenty of scope to intervene to prevent the development of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. However, there is very little research focusing on pre-hypertension in the UK, how best to identify relevant people, and how best to manage their risk.

 

It’s hoped the new project will initiate January 2021. Participants will be asked to take their own blood pressure over three consecutive days each month and will conclude with various reports, presentations and research papers with recommendations.

 

Emma reaffirms what the project is about, 

 

“This feasibility project aims to determine whether studying pre-hypertension is acceptable to patients and healthcare providers, and whether using self-monitoring of blood pressure as a preventive intervention is feasible. There is plenty of evidence to suggest that self-monitoring of blood pressure works, but little on its role in pre-hypertension.”

 

Funding was secured through the National Institute for Health Research – Research for Patient Benefit. The host organisation is Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

 

^Alex Ashworth CCG UK Blogger