Blood Pressure Screening by Outpatient Physical Therapists: A Call to Action and Clinical Recommendations

摘要: Hypertension (HTN) is among the leading global preventable risk factors for cardiovascular disease and premature mortality. Early detection effective management of HTN have demonstrated significant reductions in mortality, morbidity rate, health care costs. Furthermore, screening by nonphysician providers improves rates medical management. As physical therapist practice advances to a more independent model, therapists may serve as first point contact into system, thereby necessitating need routine blood pressure (BP) monitoring. This especially relevant outpatient setting, where there evidence elevated BP measures patients, yet omission this setting well documented. Leading therapy professional organizations include statements their guidelines that suggest duty provide standard protects safety optimizes overall patients under care. Therefore, it imperative not only examination protocols but knowledge skills accurately measure interpret at rest during exercise be integrated The authors profession proactively embrace potential address national worldwide epidemic through assessment BP, appropriate referral measures, exploration therapists.