Researchers from the Menzies Research Institute have recently completed a study that investigated ways to improve the management of high blood pressure in general practice.

Researchers from the Menzies Research Institute have recently completed a study that investigated ways to improve the management of high blood pressure in general practice.

Menzies' Research Fellow Dr Tania Winzenberg said that high blood pressure, sometimes called hypertension, is the commonest problem managed in general practice.

"Hypertension can be a serious problem if not managed properly. The higher your blood pressure, the greater your risk of dying from heart attack, stroke and other causes.

"Any change in standard management practices that leads to improved blood pressure control is likely to save lives," said Dr Winzenberg.

The CRAB study examined the management of adults with hypertension in 21 general practices in southern Tasmania. In particular, the study compared the clinical effectiveness of using of a manual instrument to measure blood pressure versus the use of a digital, automated machine.

"We found that the automated measurement devices gave slightly higher readings of blood pressure than the manual devices, although this is likely due to GPs rounding down readings rather than a true difference.

"The really interesting finding was that the digital devices' ease of use meant that GPs were more likely to take more blood pressure readings and detect blood pressure problems requiring treatment in more patients, reducing the risk of harm from the disease."

Manual, mercury-based devices are likely to be phased out over coming years due to concerns about mercury toxicity.

"Cardiovascular disease is a killer. In addition to being a killer, it prevents people from living a full life because of disability.

"This study shows that the introduction of digital devices to measure blood pressure may improve management of hypertension in general practice, resulting in better health outcomes for the community," said Dr Winzenberg.

Cardiovascular disease, the term used for heart disease, stroke and blood vessel disease, is Australia's biggest health problem. It affected one in six Australians in 2004, and touched two out of every three families.

The Menzies Research Institute has a large research program that is devoted to understanding the causes and improving the lives of those with heart disease, stroke and blood vessel disease.

Thanks to the work of health and medical researchers like those at the Menzies Research Institute, the community now has access to a range of technologies to prevent and assist recovery from cardiovascular disease, such as prescription drugs to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and anti-platelet drugs to prevent clotting.

The CRAB study was funded by the High Blood Pressure Research Society of Australia.

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