The BP:Together Study
What is the trial about?
BP:Together was a research study designed to test a new system (intervention) to lower the blood pressure of stroke survivors and those who have had Transient Ischaemic Attacks (TIAs). The intervention was based around stroke/TIA survivors (or their carers) measuring their blood pressure at home, with input from a GP or specialist when needed. After having a stroke or TIA, people are more likely to have a further stroke. The best way to reduce this risk is to reduce high blood pressure, and yet at present a significant proportion of stroke survivors do not have their high blood pressure properly controlled (perhaps one third).
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Shutterstock
Does self-monitoring work?
Most research on controlling blood pressure with self-monitoring has been done with people who have not had a stroke or TIA. Our group has already shown, in studies where most people have not had a stroke/TIA1,2, that measuring your own blood pressure at home (‘self-monitoring’), accompanied by careful adjustment of blood pressure medication by your GP, leads to better control of blood pressure. We have also shown that it helps to lower blood pressure if you can make decisions about adjusting your medication, following advice from your GP. These self-monitoring systems seem to work because people are more likely to take their medication consistently, and because GPs are more likely to prescribe additional medication when it is needed.
What is BP:Together?
BP:Together was a web and smartphone app which was used to remind patients to take and record their blood pressure. Patients received instant feedback about their blood pressure and a monthly report was sent to the patient's GP practice.
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OU Images / Nasir Hamid
Process Evaluation
The trial also included qualitative work focusing on how self-monitoring fits into the daily lives of participating patients and those who care and support them, and to understand the impact of severity of illness after a stroke or TIA. We collected data for an evaluation of the trial through interviews with participants, their carers and healthcare professionals, supported by other research methods, to understand participants’, carers’ and professionals’ experiences and views of the self-monitoring of blood pressure intervention in practice.
Patient Information Sheet
Click the button below to download the Patient Information Sheet.
LATEST NEWS
19 Feb 2021 - BPTogether Closed 31 March 2021 due to Covid-19 restrictions
Regrettably due to the changes in the delivery of care in the NHS as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the funders of this study are unable to continue their funding support and as a result the study will officially close on 31 March 2021.
We would like to take to thank each and every person taking part in this study for their contributions to this research. We hope to be able to use valuable information and lessons learned from the work undertaken to date to inform future studies.
Trial Manager, Anne Smith on 0808 196 1530
Contact Details
University of Oxford (Central Trial Team)
Trial Manager - Anne Smith
Freephone - 0808 196 1530
Email - bptogether@phc.ox.ac.uk
Address - The BP:Together Trial, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Gibson Building, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6GG
University of Cambridge (local coordinating centre)
Trial Coordinator - Lizzie Kreit
Telephone - 01223762502
Email - ek445@medschl.cam.ac.uk
Address - FAO: Lizzie Kreit, The BP:Together trial, Primary Care Unit, Strangeways Research Laboratory, Worts Causeway, Cambridge, CB1 8RN
university of edinburgh (Local coordinating centre)
Trial Coordinator - Lauren Murdoch
Telephone - 0131 651 9926
Email - tasmin.study@ed.ac.uk
Address -FAO: Lauren Murdoch, The BP:Together trial, Edinburgh Clinical Trials Unit, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Level 2 NINE Edinburgh BioQuarter, 9 Little France Road, Edinburgh EH16 4UX
Trial Team
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Anne Smith
Clinical Trials Manager
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