The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Home blood pressure kit will save lives
Dundee Rotary Club and the Guildry have co-operated a £10,000 mission to help people with high blood pressure.
Each has donated £5,000 for hundreds of home blood pressure monitors.
Cardiovascular experts say it will help those affected by the country’s most common long-term health condition.
The rotary contribution comes from the club’s £100,000 Centenary Fund.
Officials said they are delighted the guildry, a charitable institution begun in the 13th Century, has matched the funding.
One of the targets for the rotary club’s centenary fund projects is health.
Another objective is that any project should have a high enough profile to attract funding from other charities and organisations.
Undiagnosed or undertreated hypertension is a significant risk factor for heart attacks and strokes.
Home monitors allow early alerts and treatment.
In pursuit of a joint healthcare project, the rotary club and guildry spoke to Isla Mackenzie, professor of cardiovascular medicine at Dundee University.
She said: “Providing blood pressure monitors that people with high blood pressure can use themselves at home is really important.
“They help people understand changes in their blood pressure in response to lifestyle changes or medications, and they help them to know when to seek additional medical advice.
It is often better to base diagnosis on home readings rather than in a clinical environment as this gives a better indication of usual blood pressure levels.
“This is a wonderful initiative from which people with high blood pressure will hugely benefit.”
Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership primary care programme manager Nicola Stevens, who submitted the bid, said: “I am absolutely delighted that the people of Dundee will benefit from these home blood pressure monitors.
“These monitors will be available through Dundee GP practices and community nurses to those who require regular monitoring at home.”
Dundee Rotary Club president Clive Murray said: “Through the combined efforts of rotary, guildry and health professionals, we are delighted that another of our centenary projects can be implemented.”