Core20PLUS - Community Connectors Hypertension Report

During 2023, Healthwatch Barnet carried out 967 blood pressure checks at events across Barnet. 

Prevention of cardiovascular disease is a crucial priority because it is a leading cause of death, including in working age adults. The data for Barnet show that an estimated 89,000 people in the borough have high blood pressure. Of these, around 39,000 may be undiagnosed. The only way to find out whether you have high blood pressure is to get it measured. 

For the Community Connectors project, Healthwatch Barnet particularly wanted to reach people who are at greater risk of hypertension, or more likely to face health inequalities: 

• 56% of participants were from black and minority ethnic communities, and for 39% English was not their first language
• 29% had a long term health condition 

Readings & actions 

Of the 967 people who attended events, 44% received a high blood pressure reading, and 25% received a slightly raised reading. Healthwatch Barnet wanted to find out whether people would do anything to improve their health after the event.  Of the people who received a high blood pressure reading: 

• 28% said they would do more exercise 
• 24% planned to see their GP or another health professional 
• 19% said they would change their diet; some people specifically mentioned reducing their salt intake 
• 11% said they would speak to their family or friends about blood pressure 
• 10% planned to get help with stress or anxiety 
• 5% said they would quit or reduce alcohol use, and 4% that they would quit or reduce smoking

A number of people said that before the event they did not know how to read the blood pressure chart, but they understood this now. Some said they were planning to buy a blood pressure monitor as a result of meeting Healthwatch, and others said they would get their blood pressure checked more often.

Before the event, many people were unaware of the Blood Pressure Check Service, whereby adults aged over 40 are offered free checks at participating pharmacies. 

Reaching communities 

Attendees regularly felt it was helpful that the events took place in their local area, in places they visited every day. Recruiting diverse Community Connectors who had local networks, and working with grassroots community organisations helped Healthwatch to build relationships with less served groups. Some attendees fed back that they benefitted from the project’s peer-based approach, and that talking through shared experience with the connectors helped them to set personal goals.