Hi,
I'm a Product Design student at the University of Dundee, Scotland.
I'm currently working on my final year project. My aims are to develop a product which helps patients better manage their hypertension.
To make sure I tackle the most significant issues facing hypertension management I'd love to gain insight from those dealing with the condition day-to-day.
So my question is:
What do you think are the toughest challenges facing patients in terms of managing their condition?
Thank you all for your time.
(Please feel free to get in contact if you have any questions!)
Thank you for you help.
Regards
Well I find accepting the fact that you have high blood pressure the hardset challenge and the fact that you have to take pills for life.
Hi Helen,
Do you find that there's enough support available for yourself and other patients? and if so what kind of support is there? eg. support groups, discussion forums like this one, relatives, etc.
The toughest challenge for me is being sensitive to the BP medications and having to cope with the various side effects - in other words feeling well before taking the pills and feeling unwell taking them!
What sort of product do you have in mind? What year of your course are you in?
I had a conversation once with a product design student. I asked him what he would be able to design when he graduated. Anything, he said.
Aeroplane or car I asked. Yes, he said. I asked what he knew about engineereing and aerodynamics. Nothing he said, I don't need to. What do you know about the human body?
The one I spoke to said that he had not designed anything yet as the first year of the course was all theory.
Hi Derek
I'm in my 4th year of study, working on my honour project. I have a particular interest in wearable technology and it's application in the medical field, especially with the current boom in self-monitoring (fitness apps, personal health devices etc.)
At the moment I have some initial concepts, but I don't want to think about them too much or I'll limit myself.
Initially I'd like to gain some understanding of where I can apply my design skills to tackle a major issue for hypertension patients. So any insight into the day-to-day life of an individual with hypertension will be extremely beneficial.
All the best,
so in what way do you feel unwell with the meds with atenolol its hair loss and weight gain arrrrrrrrrrrgh awful and it can cause diabetes aswell
no I don.t think there is enough help no one can answer the questions and I love this forum we try to help each other awwww
Hi. I am quite obsessive with taking my bp readings to see how different life style changes affects my bp. This involves strapping a cuff around my upper arm, ensuring this area of my arm is supported and level with my heart. Then I have to ensure monitor is stable, tube inserted properly and press start.
It would be great if you could develop an app or a device that would be totally portable and small so that I could take bp anywhere and possibly without the need for a cuff!
That should keep you busy!!!
I've had labile hypertension for fourteen years that has never been controlled so can speak with some experience of treatment both in Scotland and England.
It's not support that we need but experts in the treatment field as most patients are unhappy with the drugs they are prescribed and many stop taking them. This group is not typical as we are here seeking and trying to spread information. My GP says that overall 40% of drugs prescribed are not taken.
GP's are not experts and although Hypertension is widespread among their patients they can only devote a small part of their time to it. Very few patients ever get investigated to find if there is an underlying cause.
Cardiologists treat heart disease not early hypertension that might lead to it. Cardiology patients in my experience seldom see the consultant but an ever changing series of registrars or assistants who keep popping out to ask for advice from someone above.
Look for hypertension referral centres, they are very thin on the ground.
The one I go to is the only one in Sussex (for 1.6 million people) and only has four half day sessions a week.
A bit like the nastier the medicine tastes the more good it will do you?
You can have a probe inserted into your heart and broadcasting your ever changing BP.
The hardest thing is not taking the medication, but the horrible side effects which can totally wreck your life. Still pretty nasty to be told you have to go on medication for life, but also to have to try the remedies for at leat three weeks before the full range of side effects show themselves. Then another two weeks wait to see the doctor if you are lucky!
Very few patients find the right medication first time as a glance through this site will show you.
I thought that I had been on every family of hypertension drugs but the consultant at the hypertension centre said that there are still more to try.
A few years ago I answered an advert for volunteers to test a new drug. I lost interest when they said I needed to stop all meds for three months before going on it.
Crikey Derek. Wasn't aware of the probe idea. Think I will pass on that though despite my obsession with readings!!
I think you've chosen a tricky subject. I was functioning totally normally with hypertension when I didn't know I had it. Problems now relate to side effects of medication and the lack of individuality in treatment. You are hypertensive. Take tablets 1 and 2 - is the standard medical response. Two weeks later. Aha. You are still hypertensive. Let's double doses 1 and 2 and see how you get on.
But doc. I'm sleeping 14 hours a day on the original doses and I walk like a snail.
Your body will adjust in due course, says the doc. Meantime have a restful few months. Most of my patients suffer from insomnia. Count your blessings.
Hypertension is not like, for example, arthritis of the hands for which you could invent a green-fingered robot to do the gardening. Fisherman's suggestion of a simpler and effective method of monitoring blood pressure could be helpful. For myself, I would like to see more medical research into the causes of hypertension and a more imaginative way of treating the symptoms. Ear transplants for the doctors who do not hear what their patients are saying? An elderly woman of my acquaintance recently collapsed and is in hospital with low blood pressure - a result of taking blood pressure tablets for years and not being properly monitored. Is that an issue you could address? No idea how. Sorry, Mjhilley. Have run out of ideas but good luck with your project!
I've started taking my blood pressure before and after meeting up with various family members and friends. You are not the only obsessive, Fisherman!
Much easier and more profitable to invent a new Coke bottle
Which family member puts your BP up the most your MIL or your nephew's new girl friend?
Don't tell them but it's definitely the daughters!