Blood Pressure Monitoring at Home
BP@Home - monitoring your blood pressure with the Viso app
GP Practices in our network offer the opportunity for patients with to monitor their blood pressure at home and share their blood pressure readings directly back to their GP from home using the Viso app.
Why do I need to monitor my blood pressure?
High blood pressure, or hypertension, rarely has noticeable symptoms. But if untreated, it increases your risk of serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes.
If your blood pressure is too high, it puts extra strain on your blood vessels, heart and other organs, such as the brain, kidneys and eyes.
High blood pressure affects more than 1 in 3 adults in England; around 50% of all heart attack and strokes are associated with high BP and it is a major risk factor for chronic kidney disease, heart failure and dementia.
Using the Viso app to monitor and measure your blood pressure readings
Monitoring blood pressure remotely through Viso has multiple benefits. From the patient perspective, it will not be necessary to book an appointment and attend the surgery for a blood pressure check.
It enables healthcare professionals to keep track of a person’s health, provide them with the information needed to look after their health and help them access the right treatment when required.
In addition, taking measurements in the comfort of one’s own home can better reflect blood pressure, as being tested in a medical environment can make some people feel anxious, affecting results.
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What happens if I don't stay on top of my high blood pressure?
Persistent high blood pressure can increase your risk of some serious and potentially life-threatening health conditions, such as:
- heart disease
- heart attacks
- strokes
- heart failure
- peripheral arterial disease
- aortic aneurysms
- kidney disease
- vascular dementia
Prevention is key: If you have high blood pressure, reducing it even a small amount can help lower your risk of these health conditions.
How does the service work?
Patients who meet the eligibility criteria will be contacted by their GP Practice, inviting them to register with the Viso programme. Invites will typically be sent via SMS text message, requesting the patient to accept or decline the invitation. People who agree to participate will be contacted with details on registering to use the service.
Do I have to wait to be invited in order to use BP@Home?
No. Any patient registered with West Moors Village Surgery can follow this link to self-register>>
What if I don't have a Home Monitor?
If you don’t already have a suitable BP monitor, we can provide you with a discount code to buy a OmronX3 Comfort monitor through Amazon.co.uk. Email cranevalleypcn@dorsetgp.nhs.uk to request a code.
Alternatively, we have a limited number of BP monitors available for eligible patients to borrow free of charge. And should anyone need guidance and support to use the app to provide their BP readings, our Digital Care Coordinator is available to help.
Once you submit BP readings, our healthcare professionals can view these and advise any changes required to your treatment.
Advice for taking your own blood pressure
When taking your blood pressure readings, it is important to be relaxed, so avoid taking your blood pressure when stressed, in pain or in a hurry.
For advice about taking your blood pressure readings at home, visit our Advice Page here>>
For more information about Viso, please use the links below to the Omron Healthcare website:
