Researchers and clinicians have welcomed Federal Government funding to improve the diagnosis and treatment of high blood pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The condition affects around 1 in 3 people in Australia, significantly increasing the risk of stroke, coronary heart disease, heart failure and chronic kidney disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Men are more likely to have uncontrolled high blood pressure, with 1 in 4 men suffering untreated high blood pressure, compared to 1 in 5 women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many people don\u2019t experience any symptoms and don\u2019t realise they have the condition, raising their chances of serious illness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From next month however, the community will have greater access to ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, regarded as the best available test to confirm the diagnosis of hypertension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It involves wearing a device which can monitor blood pressure continuously over 24 hours, rather than the snapshot generally provided by GP blood pressure monitoring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Senior hospital scientist within the Department of Cardiology and Kolling researcher Dr Anastasia Mihailidou has welcomed the announcement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As one of the initiating members of a select committee of the High Blood Pressure Research Council of Australia, Dr Mihailidou advocated for greater access to ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She has backed the listing of the test on the Medicare Benefits Schedule, saying it\u2019s an important milestone in tackling the silent killer of high blood pressure and hypertension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cAmbulatory blood pressure monitoring is the gold standard diagnostic test for improving the diagnosis of hypertension and much better than in-clinic blood pressure measurement,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am delighted this important step has been taken and grateful that Health Minister Greg Hunt has recognised our work on the committee.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s anticipated more than 400,000 people will benefit from the improved testing over the next 12 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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