Hypertension Case Finding

What is the Hypertension Case Finding Service?

Also known as the NHS Blood Pressure Check Service – is a service that allows optometry practices to offer blood pressure checks to patients in line with local eligibility criteria as set by local NHS commissioners.

With cardiovascular disease (CVD) being acknowledged as one of the leading causes of premature death in England, and hypertension being the biggest risk factor for CVD, blood pressure monitoring is essential for early detection.

This service is available for patients who are attending for another optometric appointment (i.e. a sight test). This can happen before or after the patient’s main reason for being at the optometry practice.

This assessment includes:

• Some basic personal questions
• The measurement and recording of the Blood Pressure reading
• The recording of any irregular pulse reading
• Discussing the outcomes and next steps

More information on high blood pressure can be found here:

nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-pressure

bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/risk-factors/high-blood-pressure