BMJ  2004;329:569 (4 September), doi:10.1136/bmj.329.7465.569-a

Letter

Guidelines from the British Hypertension Society

Life in the real world may not allow recommendations to be implemented

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

EDITOR—Williams et al in their summary of the British Hypertension Society's guidelines say that people with "high normal" systolic blood pressure (130-139 mm Hg) or diastolic blood pressure (85-89 mm Hg) and people who have had high blood pressure readings at any time previously should have their blood pressure measured annually.¹ This implies that any patient who has ever had a systolic blood pressure greater than 130 mm Hg should from then on be kept under annual review.

A search of our general practice database of 6200 patients showed that 1700 fell into this category. A check of similar practices shows that this figure is reasonably representative in our area. Our practice population is below average in age and deprivation. Some simple mathematics suggests that as a practice we need to review 34 patients a week.

Can I ask the authors what consideration was given to the practical . . . [Full text of this article]

Kemnay Medical Group, Kemnay, Aberdeenshire AB51 7JB paul.green@kemnay.grampian.scot.nhs.uk

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