Impact of Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring on patient health in remote areas: the role of Community Pharmacy

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death. Arterial hypertension is the main avoidable risk factor. Scientific societies advise control methods such as Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) but this technique is not usually available in rural settings.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of pharmaceutical intervention using ABPM in community pharmacies.

Material and Method: Observational study conducted in a rural community pharmacy between July 2021 and December 2023. Patients over 18 years of age who were normotensive or had a previous diagnosis of hypertension were selected. They were fitted with a MicrolifeWatch BP03 device for 29 hours. Patients with results compatible with HT were referred to their primary care physician.

Results: Twenty-one patients were included, of whom 20 were referred to the physician and treatment adjustments were made. Patient satisfaction was high, highlighting the accessibility of the service in the community pharmacy.

Conclusion: the accessibility and proximity of community pharmacies, especially in rural areas, facilitates the application of MAPA, improving the control of HTN.