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Pharmacy/frequency of BP checks

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Expert: Dr Alan Galbraith - 3/17/2009


Question
I work in LTC, how frequently is it necessary to check BP on elderly residents who take anti-hypertensive medications? Is daily really necessary when taking same meds with no changes in dosage over several months time?
Thank you.

Answer
Dear Dolores

I would say daily is unnecessary, weekly should be fine. However, one must follow protocol and not argue unless you really have sufficient grounds. I am hypertensive and check my BP only when I remember and that is maybe twice a month, at most, which I would consider sufficient once one is stabilised.

I often got annoyed with unnecessary procedures when working in hospitals but learnt when to be quiet and when to speak.

Regards

Dr Alan Galbraith

Pharmacy

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Dr Alan Galbraith

Expertise

I can answer most questions on most drugs. Answers can be given in either technical or layperson terminology. My main areas of interest are psychiatric, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular drugs.

Experience

I have been a university lecturer/head of department for almost thirty years, but am now retired. My research interests were alcohol, smoking and cardiovascular disease.

Organizations
Institute of Biology, London.


Publications
Author of "Fundamentals of Pharmacology" 5th Edition published in November 2007 by Pearson Education, Australia.

Education/Credentials
BSc(Hons);MSc;PhD;MIBiol; Cert Biol; HECert

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