🩺 Community blood pressure check

High-Yield OSCE Points 🧠

💬 Delivering the Result

Provide the reading calmly and clearly: "Your average reading today was 141/87 mmHg."
Explain this is in the range for stage 2 hypertension and is higher than ideal.
Acknowledge the patient feels well and the result may be unexpected.
Reassure them that a one-off reading is a 'snapshot', not a final diagnosis.

🤔 Explaining the 'Why' & Next Steps

Explain the long-term risks of untreated high BP (heart attack, stroke).
State the clear next step: referral to their GP for further assessment.
Explain the GP will likely arrange a 24-hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitor (ABPM) for a formal diagnosis.
Manage expectations: medication is only considered depending on ABPM results and overall risk.

🌳 Empowering with Lifestyle Advice

Address the patient's desire to "do something themselves" first.
Advise at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly (brisk walking, cycling).
Advise reducing salt intake to less than 6g per day (one teaspoon).
Recommend a diet high in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Counsel limiting alcohol to 14 units per week, spread out, with drink-free days.
Strongly advise smoking cessation.

✅ Closing the Consultation

Summarise the plan: "Reading is high, so I am referring you to your GP for a 24-hour check."
Confirm the action: "I will send these results to your GP practice today."
Provide a patient information leaflet.
Check for any final questions.

Full Word-for-Word OSCE Script 📜

💬 Delivering the Result

"Thank you for your patience. I've calculated your average blood pressure reading, and it is 141 over 87."

"Now, I know you mentioned you feel perfectly well, so a number like this might seem surprising. This reading is a little higher than the ideal range, and it falls into a category we call hypertension."

🤔 Explaining What It Means

"It's very important to understand that a one-off check like this is just a snapshot in time. It doesn't automatically mean you need to start medication. Think of it as an early warning sign that we need to look into things more formally."

"The reason we monitor blood pressure is that if it remains high over a long period, it can increase the future risk of conditions like heart attacks or strokes. The great news is that it's very manageable."

📋 Outlining the Next Steps

"So, what happens next? Because this reading is high, the correct next step is for me to refer you to your GP for a proper assessment. I will send these results directly to your surgery today, so they will have them on file."

"Your GP will likely want you to wear a small, portable machine for 24 hours that checks your blood pressure automatically as you go about your normal day. This gives a much more accurate picture of your average blood pressure."

"Only after that will your doctor decide if any treatment is needed, and that decision will be based on those results and your overall health."

🌳 Lifestyle Management

"You asked if there was anything you could do yourself, and the answer is absolutely yes. In fact, lifestyle changes are the most important first step for managing blood pressure."

"Things that make a big difference include aiming for 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week - like a brisk 30-minute walk five times a week. Reducing your salt intake is also key; try to avoid adding salt to food and check labels on processed foods. Limiting alcohol to no more than 14 units a week is also recommended."

✅ Summary & Closing

"So, to summarise: today's reading was high, so I am referring you to your GP. They will likely arrange a 24-hour monitor to investigate further. In the meantime, the lifestyle changes we discussed are a fantastic and powerful way for you to start taking control."

"Here is a leaflet with more information on those lifestyle tips. Do you have any other questions for me right now?"