Simple screening in pharmacies: A study on the early detection of high blood pressure is starting in Upper Austria. Customers can have their blood pressure measured easily in selected pharmacies. If irregularities are detected, they receive a recommendation to consult their family doctor. The study is part of an EU-funded cross-border project involving Austria, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland, AIT coordinates the Austrian part.
Why early detection matters
High blood pressure is one of the most important modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Many affected individuals are unaware of their hypertension for a long time, which significantly increases the risk of stroke or heart attack. Low-threshold services that reach people without regular check-ups are therefore a key component of prevention.
Combination of screening and medical follow-up
Screening in pharmacies provides easy access for adults with risk factors such as family history, smoking, diabetes, overweight or lack of physical activity. Participants receive written feedback. In the case of abnormal values, the pharmacy recommends further assessment by a family doctor, which within the project also includes 24-hour blood pressure monitoring and the assessment of additional risk factors.
“The earlier we detect elevated blood pressure, the better we can prevent stroke and heart attack. Easy access through pharmacies lowers barriers and helps bring at-risk individuals into primary care in time,” says study director Thomas Weber, cardiologist at Klinikum Wels-Grieskirchen and President of the European Society of Hypertension (ESH).
AIT’s research expertise
In parallel with the clinical studies, researchers at AIT are developing new AI-based methods to make it even easier to determine vascular properties in the future. The focus is particularly on developing new approaches to link easily understandable concepts such as vascular age with measurable parameters. “Our goal is to extend classical blood pressure screening with additional, more precise procedures. This would make it possible not only to identify at-risk individuals earlier but also to provide more personalized care,” emphasizes Christopher Mayer, project leader at AIT.
Joint initiative in Europe – strengthening public health
The project, called TOGETHER, is supported under the EU funding programme “THCS Healthcare of the Future – Joint Transnational Call 2023” and by the FFG (www.ffg.at). AIT leads the project in Austria, and the Austrian part of the study is being conducted in Upper Austria. Pharmacists, general practitioners and researchers are working closely together to examine how cardiovascular risk assessment can be successfully implemented in the pharmacy setting.
The initiative demonstrates how pharmacies and family doctors can jointly strengthen prevention. It combines low-threshold services with modern diagnostics and international research. The aim is to identify and treat hypertension earlier – with clear benefits for public health.
OÖ Nachrichten (DE): https://www.nachrichten.at/meine-welt/gesundheit/neues-angebot-in-oberoesterreich-blutdruckmessen-in-apotheken;art114,4092784