The Measurement and Assessment of Blood Pressure - Hypertension is a common chronic disease impacting nearly half of the adult US population. Uncontrolled hypertension can lead to severe consequences ranging from vision loss, myocardial infarction, to death. A third of patients are not even aware they have elevated blood pressure. Accurate measurement of blood pressure is vital to assisting patients control blood pressure. A single blood pressure measure cannot be used to diagnose, classify or assess effectiveness of treatment.
Pharmacists are in a unique position to help provide greater access to blood pressure monitoring, and support of pharmacies assessing blood pressure is supported by several professional organizations. Training on the accurate measurement of blood pressure is necessary to appropriately treat hypertension and prevent cardiovascular disease and mortality.
Participants in this course will gain the skills and knowledge needed to:
- Explain the importance of accurately measuring blood pressure.
- Describe how to prepare a patient for an accurate blood pressure measurement.
- Demonstrate the accurate measurement of a patient’s blood pressure within the pharmacy setting.
- Explain the role of the pharmacists in self-monitoring of blood pressure.
- List blood pressure goals.
- Describe the side effects of and monitoring required for first-line antihypertensive agents.
- Recommend appropriate adjustments to antihypertensive medications.