Understanding High Blood Pressure

Documentary

Over 1.5 billion people worldwide are at increased risk of heart attacks and strokes because they have high blood pressure.

Information is widely available on the internet but is often confusing, conflicting or just incorrect. Despite efforts by health professionals most patients usually have large gaps in their knowledge. This project answered a need for a comprehensive, authoritative and easily digestible source of information.

The Client

Experts in Health - A group of leading experts and doctors who work together to help people to a better understanding of important medical conditions by using very high quality visual media.

The Brief

To produce a comprehensive educational DVD for patients and healthcare professionals on the subject of Hypertension and build a website to launch the product. By educating patients about the disease and helping them to lower their risk, the aim is to improve blood pressure control and hence reduce the terrible toll of cardiovascular disease.

Our Approach

We collaborated closely with leading researchers Professors Peter Sever and Neil Poulter and family physician Dr Henry White to produce a four part DVD consisting of the main documentary, a short drama delivering the key messages, additional patient stories and a doctors' cut explaining treatment guidelines.

The documentary uses accurate and high quality medical animation and slides to clarify and explain the vital messages the doctors deliver in their lively on-stage presentation. This was presented with different stage backdrops including a 20ft screen projection to a live audience of patients with high blood pressure. Intercut with patient stories, we also learn a little about the doctor's personal motivations as the story moves from the causes, risk factors and effects of having high blood pressure through to treatment options with animated explanations of how the drugs work.

Despite the wealth of information available online, patients are failing to get screened and do not know enough about how and why they should change their lifestyle. Many are often reluctant to accept life-saving treatments even though they are very safe.

By educating patients about the disease and helping them to lower their risk, the aim is to improve blood pressure control and hence reduce the terrible toll of cardiovascular disease.

The Result

The first audience survey for this film revealed that 85% of patients who watched this video said it made them change an aspect of their lives.

The DVD has received endorsements from the Blood Pressure Association, World Hypertension League, British Hypertension Society, British Primary Care Cardiovascular Society, and Diabetes UK.

Check out the website www.expertsinhealth.com where dvds can also be purchased.