Pharmacies are being encouraged to get involved in two blood pressure measurement campaigns to help identify people with undiagnosed hypertension.

The worldwide May Measurement Month (MMM) initiative runs through May, and the UK’s Know Your Numbers event is opening up for registrations for pharmacies to support the campaign and to be blood pressure measurement ‘Pressure Stations’.

Last year, 1.2 million people in 100 countries were checked as part of the MMM initiative.

Resources are available from the International Society of Hypertension (ISH), which is organising the campaign.

The National Pharmacy Association is urging members to get involved. Leyla Hannbeck, NPA chief pharmacist, said: “Checking patients’ blood pressure is a relatively simple intervention that can save lives. The NPA believes that community pharmacy should play a far greater role in screening and ultimately managing hypertension.”

Professor Neil Poulter, of Imperial College London and ISH president, said: “A key objective of MMM is, not only to increase public awareness, but also to collect the evidence needed to help influence global health policy and make blood pressure screening more widely available around the world.”

Know Your Numbers

Last year a record breaking total of 493 pharmacies signed up to the Know Your Numbers! Week national blood pressure testing campaign, said the charity Blood Pressure UK. The week runs from 10-16 September 2018.

Pharmacies can support the campaign by creating awareness and offering the opportunity for customers to get their blood pressure tested as a Pressure Station.

Hemini Bharadia campaign manager for Know Your Numbers! Week said pharmacies are an important part of the event: “Pharmacists play a huge role in helping advise customers about blood pressure and getting tested. We therefore hope they will support Know Your Numbers! Week 2018 by signing up and getting involved – and possibly saving lives.”