Acta Biomedica Scientia

PHARMACIES' MONITORING PRACTICES AND PATIENTS' KNOWLEDGE OF BLOOD PRESSURE

Ujwala S*, Neelam Sreeja, Krupalini Vadapally, Meruga Prashanthi, Jarpala Rambabu

drujwalasunakapallyy@gmail.com

Self-care, Blood pressure monitoring, Hypertension medication

Cardiovascular disease is caused by hypertension, which can be modified. However, patients often underestimate their risk factors or cannot determine them accurately. As part of our efforts to improve pharmacist interventions, we implemented the following strategies: 1) assess the knowledge and self-monitoring behaviors of patients about blood pressure (BP). 2) Determine their relationship. A comparison of the knowledge of one's target and BP level with monitoring habits would be helpful in evaluating how well one's blood pressure is controlled. The pharmacy clerkship required students to interview patients in community pharmacies as part of their final year training. Ten patients on hypertension medication were recruited as convenience samples, and students surveyed them about their blood pressure targets, recent blood pressure levels, and home and monthly monitoring practices. 225 patients were interviewed, of which one third were able to identify a blood pressure target, while 25% were able to identify an accepted target. The majority of those who had reported a blood pressure target were able to provide a blood pressure reading, with 12% reaching their self-reported goal. Most patients believed that their blood pressure was “about right”, and slightly less than a third thought it was “high”. Over half of patients monitor their blood pressure monthly, but fewer than half monitor their blood pressure at home. Patients with chronic conditions are lacking in knowledge and self-management, according to this study and others that have come before it. Further, pharmacy students were able to screen patients during routine care with a brief intervention. Regular blood pressure monitoring can assist pharmacists in improving patient understanding and promoting self-management