Blood pressure

[Pigeontails]

Does anyone else's GP surgery require six-monthly blood pressure checks before prescribing HRT? I'm unsure of the benefit, as my readings have occasionally been slightly elevated. They have a self-service machine, not operated by medical staff. But they make you jump through hoops to get it, so now I have to go back in to get my blood pressure redone on the machine. The last time, I had to make an appointment with a nurse, meaning I went for days without my prescription because of them doing this. It's so frustrating.

No. I'd query it with them. They may be conflating hrt with the Pill.
Most HRT doesn't raise BP.

And you usually only need an annual review of HRT.

The NHS actually only advises adults to take their own BP every 5 years which seems a bit ridiculous, but on the other hand you don't need it for HRT every 6 months.

Your BP should be monitored anyway if it was high (more than 120/80) irrespective of HRT but most drs now are happy for people to do it at home and take the average of 3 readings over a day.

I know it just seems pointless. they won’t give you the prescription unless your blood pressure is within the normal range, but your blood pressure can fluctuate. I went into the surgery yesterday to get it done, but they’ve knocked it back because they’re saying my blood pressure is slightly elevated. I can’t get in again until next week .
Last time they made me wait for an appointment with the nurse to check it after the machine was giving high readings, and I was left without a prescription for over 10 days.

Do they not understand white coat syndrome?

Most people find their BP rises when taken by HCP, because of anxiety.

Can you change your practice? They seem very out of date with protocol.

They shouldn't be making a decision based on your BP on the day.
You should have a proper assessment doing it at home for a week and then a decision made on whether it's high and needs to be treated with lifestyle changes or meds.

Also, slightly high BP is not an issue with HRT.

I don't know what your HRT is, but some sorts even lower BP.