McCabe’s Pharmacy is delighted to announce the launch of 24 hour blood pressure measurement. This will accurately identify high blood pressure (hypertension), which will help you prevent serious events such as organ damage, higher risks for strokes, heart disease, heart attacks, and kidney failure
Hypertension is called “the silent killer” because it has no symptoms and many people are unaware that they have the condition. However, it is one of the highest risk factors and accounts for 54% of stroke and 47% of heart disease worldwide.
The service we are now offering is the most accurate method available to diagnose high blood pressure. Your blood pressure is measured every 30 minutes for a period of 24 hours, known as 24-hr ABPM. Research shows that the one-off (clinical) blood pressure test, which dates back to 1896 can be up to 40% inaccurate.
How does the service work?
To take accurate measurements, a lightweight monitor is fitted to your waist which is connected to a cuff on your arm for 24 hours. When you return to the pharmacy after 24 hours, your pharmacist will download the results in seconds and give you a report with your results. You can then take the report to your GP for consultation on treatment.
Leading hypertension experts believe that every patient suspected of having hypertension should have an ABPM to confirm or refute the diagnosis, and every patient with uncontrolled hypertension should have an ABPM repeated as often as necessary until 24-hour control of BP is achieved. This would substantially reduce the incidence of stroke, heart attack and a range of other cardiovascular conditions.
Some important points on 24hour blood pressure measurement ABPM:
- Research places a high degree of importance on night-time blood pressure, the most important predictor of stroke and heart-attack which only 24-hour ABPM can evaluate. Those with raised night-time blood pressure are at a higher risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke.
- ABPM can identify people with white coat hypertension (this happens when BP shows a temporary rise in a doctor’s surgery) who otherwise may be misdiagnosed and put on a lifetime of unnecessary treatment. dabl ABPM can identify people with masked hypertension. (Masked hypertension is the reverse of white-coat hypertension in that patients have normal blood pressure in a doctor’s surgery but elevated daytime ABPM.)
- The ‘rule of halves’ is operative: only half the people with hypertension are aware that their BP is raised; of those identified as having high BP, only half are on BP lowering drugs; and of those receiving treatment, only half are well controlled.
- The dabl ABPM service is used by many of the top international experts in hypertension and is acknowledged by them and the international medical community, as the most comprehensive system available for the accurate diagnosis and management of hypertension.
The results are explained to the patient when they return the machine and a graph is also given clearly showing how blood pressure changed throughout the day. The patient will be advised to share the results with their GP and if this is urgent or not.
This test is available in our stores in Dundrum Town Centre, The Cresent Limerick, Clarehall Shopping Centre Malahide Road, Gorey Town and Pavilions Shopping Centre Swords.
Articles on 24 Hour Blood Pressure Monitoring:
http://www.imt.ie/clinical/2011/10/abpm-saves-not-only-money-but-also-lives.html
