Encouraging more patients to come forward for blood pressure checks
This page aims to provides practical advice, backed by clinical evidence, to help you:
- Encourage more people to come forward for free NHS blood pressure checks
- Support patients reluctant to engage
- Promote adherence to antihypertensive medication
- Guide conversations about lifestyle changes
- Enhance long-term patient engagement
Having supportive conversations
A conversation with a patient about blood pressure can often be more effective than direct instruction.
Use open questions:
“When did you last have your blood pressure checked?”
“Has anyone in your family had issues with blood pressure or heart disease?”
Emphasise the risk of ‘invisible’ hypertension:
“One in four adults have high blood pressure, but only half know they have it.”
Explain in simple language:
“High blood pressure rarely causes symptoms, but it can quietly damage your arteries, heart, kidneys and brain. A simple check can prevent problems before they start.”
How to support those who would rather ‘keep their head in the sand’
Many patients avoid health checks because they are worried or fearful about what the results might show. Key strategies to support these patients include:
- Normalise the check: Frame it as part of standard self-care, like dental check ups or MOTs.
- Use social proof: “Most people who come in for a check are glad they did – it’s a chance to stay on top of things.”
- Address misconceptions: Some patients believe that ‘feeling fine’ means they are fine. Explain to patients that hypertension can be completely symptomless but increases their likelihood of having a heart attack or stroke.
- Motivational interviewing techniques can gently explore what might be preventing someone having a check: “What are your thoughts about getting your blood pressure checked? What might make it easier for you to do?”
Other ways to encourage more patients to have a BP check
Text-message prompts or messages via the NHS App – targeted to patients without a recent recorded check, rather than a universal message
Community outreach: Work with your Patient Participation Group (PPG) to offer checks at community hubs or places of worship which can help reach under-served groups.
Helping patients adhere to medication
Non-adherence is common. Around 30-50% of patients with hypertension don’t take medication as prescribed (WHO, 2003).
Tactics to improve adherence:
- Personalise the explanation: Link medication benefits to patient goals: “These tablets help protect your heart and brain, even if you don’t feel any different day to day.”
- Discuss side effects openly: Encourage dialogue rather than silent discontinuation.
- Simplify regimens if possible
- Pharmacy support: The New Medicine Service (NMS) can provide extra support to those newly prescribed hypertension medication, which in turn can increase adherence
Supportive conversations about lifestyle changes
Lifestyle interventions can lower blood pressure as effectively as some medications.
- Salt reduction: Cutting salt intake can reduce systolic BP by 5-6 mmHg
- Moving more: Moderate activity (30 mins, 5 times a week) can lower BP by 4-9 mmHg.
- Alcohol reduction and weight loss further contribute to BP control.
How to discuss lifestyle:
- Focus on small, achievable steps: “Would you be interested in some ideas to help with this? Even small changes can add up.”
- Use shared decision-making to choose a focus area.
- Text a link to these pages with information and local groups: https://www.hertsandwestessex.ics.nhs.uk/your-health-and-care/stay-well/excercise/
How to maximise opportunistic blood pressure checks in practices
Offer BP checks at all routine appointments
Include BP measurement at any appointment for:
- Long-term condition reviews (e.g. diabetes, asthma, COPD)
- Medication reviews
- NHS Health Checks
- Contraceptive and HRT consultations
- New patient registrations
- Pre-surgical or pre-procedure assessments
- Vaccinations – offer BP checks in the waiting room after flu vaccination sessions
Reception staff or healthcare assistants can prompt this as part of pre-consultation checks.
Use waiting room space
- Ensure your GP waiting room TV screens are switched on and showing the slideshow from the ICB. This includes regular messaging about blood pressure.
- Make a BP device available in the waiting area with clear instructions. Patients can record their BP while waiting and hand results to reception or the clinician.
Use SystmOne/EMIS alerts
Set up automated prompts in clinical systems to flag when a patient hasn’t had a BP check in the past 12 months. Prompts can trigger during consultations or medication prescribing screens, ensuring no missed opportunities.
Train the whole practice team
Equip all staff, not just the clinicians, with:
- Key messages on the importance of BP checks
- Confidence to encourage patients to have their BP checked
- Ability to use and record automated BP readings
- Receptionists could ask patients as they check in: “Have you had your blood pressure checked in the last year? If not, we can do that while you’re here today.”
Find the news angle!
Send out newsletters and messages to patients during awareness weeks like Heart Health Awareness Month (February) and Know Your Numbers Week (September). Create social media posts and in-practice displays encouraging people to ask for a check.
Training and resources
The Hertfordshire and West Essex Training Hub lists all the training opportunities available.Communications resources to download:
Social media squares
Digital screens (landscape and portrait)
Article for newsletters
Poster for local printing
Email address for comms team to order professional printed items