As part of Heart Rhythm Week, selected pharmacies displaying the Heart Rhythm Week logo across North East London will be looking to save lives by offering residents free blood pressure checking and heart rhythm monitoring, from Monday 2 June. Everyone is invited to stop by to have their BP checked and heart monitored, and to find out more about reducing their stroke risk.
Pharmacists will be doing the following:
1. Demonstrating the SelfCare Pharmacy practice invented in NEL described at the recent conference and increasingly supported by academics, charities and commissioners.
2. Monitoring the heart rhythm using the AliveCor devices and sending by email the heart rhythm and data to cardiac physiologist (consultant) to interpret the data and email back the results within 24 hours. The patient will be advised by the pharmacist on next steps including referral to a doctor.
3. The patients would have their blood pressure monitored using the only NICE approved device(Microlife).
4. The patients would complete a SelfCare Assessment Form (SAF) which will identify the patients’ health, wellbeing and social factors affecting them.
The pharmacies will be set up for heart monitoring and blood pressure checks from Monday 2 June. The list of pharmacies participating in Heart Rhythm Week can be found at www.nellpc.org.uk.
Ellen Sheridan, Information Officer from the Stroke Association in London says; “High blood pressure has been called the ‘silent killer’ because many people do not realise they have it or how dangerous it can be. Getting your blood pressure tested is simple, there are no needles, we put an inflatable cuff on your arm and it is quick and painless. It is really important to get checked regularly as your blood pressure does change over time, taking control of it can reduce your risk of stroke. According to the Stroke Association there are over 13,500 people across Londonwho have a stroke each year and over 128,000 people living with the effects of stroke.”
Hemant Patel, the Secretary of the committee representing local pharmacists said: “We are urging the local community to stop by their pharmacy this Heart Rhythm Week to get their heart and blood pressure checked. It’s really important for residents to know the risk factors associated with their blood pressure and heart, and that’s why we’re here to give advice and information to hopefully reduce the health problems like stroke. The service will be available through 100 pharmacies in the six North East London boroughs. We will be working alongside the NHS and the local doctors to detect early signs of heart problems.”
The pharmacies will be set up for heart monitoring and blood pressure checks from Monday 2 June. The list of pharmacies participating in Heart Rhythm Week can be found at www.nellpc.org.uk. To find out more information please contact Hemant Patel on 05601 252940
