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Original poster

Blood pressure monitoring BEFORE being issued HRT

28 replies

its2025 · 18/05/2026 15:28

HI Ladies - just wondering if this is expected now. I've been considering HRT for sometime and finally got round to having chat with GP earlier today. Discussed all my options and decided to go ahead with continuous HRT - I'm 54. Dr mentioned having a Blood pressure reading while we were chatting - fine - I thought i'd just submit the one reading.
Turns out they need a weeks worth of two readings per day to get an average reading. (this is before they'll even issue the prescription) I've literally never had an issue with my blood pressure. As they need two readings per day - that realistically means I've got to go out and buy a blood pressure monitor to use at home for the sake of one weeks readings.... I'm just a bit baffled and a bit annoyed - it feels like getting the first prescription is just really hard work!

OP posts:
ShorterMumma · 19/05/2026 08:04

its2025 · 18/05/2026 16:39

I can understand them wanting to check my blood pressure regularly once i start taking the HRT - I've been told this is usually once a year?? Just seems bizarre they need an average over the period of a week before they even give me the prescription. After all - I've done one check today - and submitted that reading (which was normal).

Thanks @Sheggsie , I did speak to reception about this - and no offer was made to loan me a monitor - even when I questioned the need to buy one.. Might be worth me ringing again tomorrow to see if they have any loan ones.

My blood pressure was checked once.
Seems very OTT.

Do youchave u der lying health conditions or are you overweight?

Original poster
its2025 · 19/05/2026 09:27

Thanks all for the vary-ing comments it does seem that GP's prescription and monitoring of HRT varies.
I asked and my surgery doesn't have any loan BP monitors available - so I've ordered one via Amazon - sounds like I may need it going forward anyway!

I've never had any underlying health problems - not over weight - never smoked no family history of BP issues - none myself. It all seems a bit overkill - but the surgery was adamant it's needed before prescription so as another poster said above - I'll just do as I'm told.

Also its the transdermal patches version I've asked for - so no pills.

It did seem that the Dr I spoke to was just going through a check list during the consultation TBH.
Luckily - I had spoken to a private GP before hand (I can speak to a private GP through a work scheme) so although they are unable to prescribe the HRT - I did get relevant advice from him so I already knew what to ask of the GP

OP posts:
JinglingSpringbells · 19/05/2026 09:43

its2025 · 19/05/2026 09:27

Thanks all for the vary-ing comments it does seem that GP's prescription and monitoring of HRT varies.
I asked and my surgery doesn't have any loan BP monitors available - so I've ordered one via Amazon - sounds like I may need it going forward anyway!

I've never had any underlying health problems - not over weight - never smoked no family history of BP issues - none myself. It all seems a bit overkill - but the surgery was adamant it's needed before prescription so as another poster said above - I'll just do as I'm told.

Also its the transdermal patches version I've asked for - so no pills.

It did seem that the Dr I spoke to was just going through a check list during the consultation TBH.
Luckily - I had spoken to a private GP before hand (I can speak to a private GP through a work scheme) so although they are unable to prescribe the HRT - I did get relevant advice from him so I already knew what to ask of the GP

Edited

The main reason for the variation among GPs is that most are not trained in HRT. There is no mandatory training when they are at medical school and any training afterwards is only if they choose to take CPD. Many are working from scripts, some of which are out of date.

The annual review should not necessarily always include a BP check because, as stated in the BMS guidance, HRT usually has a beneficial or negative effect on BP.

There are far bigger risk factors, such as not exercising, smoking, drinking alcohol, poor diet, being overweight and eating too much salt. They don't actively monitor those.

However, everyone should monitor their BP anyway once they are over 50 because the NHS only suggests once (through the NHS) every 5 years which far too infrequently.

Hope you get on with it okay.

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