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Waking up to wearables: the next era of blood pressure measurement for primary care?

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The unresolved hypertension problemHypertension is the most prevalent modifiable cardiovascular risk factor and leading cause of morbidity and mortality.1 The prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension in England has been rising for over a decade, so finding people with uncontrolled hypertension, and treating them to target blood pressure (BP), are key to improving outcomes.Since 2011, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) for the diagnosis of hypertension.2 Primary care uptake of, and access to, ABPM have proved variable, declining since the COVID-19 pandemic, with greater use and NHS support for home BP monitoring instead.

Source: British Journal of General Practice

DOI: 10.3399/bjgp.2026.0181

Authors: Sinéad Teresa Jennifer McDonagh, Rosina Cross, Jay Connor Rothery, Christopher Elles Clark

Institution: University of Exeter

Language: English

Topic: Blood Pressure and Hypertension Studies

Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: National Institute for Health and Care Research, NIHR School for Primary Care Research