Hypertension: ECG for target organ damage
Indicator
The percentage of patients with a new diagnosis of hypertension in the preceding 1 April to 31 March who have a record of a 12‑lead ECG performed in the 3 months before or after the date of entry to the hypertension register.
Indicator type
General practice indicator suitable for use in the Quality and Outcomes Framework.
This document does not represent formal NICE guidance. For a full list of NICE indicators, see our menu of indicators.
To find out how to use indicators and how we develop them, see our NICE indicator process guide.
Rationale
Routine assessment of hypertension or suspected hypertension should include clinical history and examination to identify associated cardiovascular disease and the risk of this, consideration of secondary causes of hypertension and measurement of simple markers that indicate target organ damage. The results of these assessments can help determine appropriate drug therapy and whether to offer additional therapies to reduce the risk of other cardiovascular disease.
The risk of complications associated with hypertension is affected by presence of target organ damage and cardiovascular disease. A 12‑lead electrocardiogram (ECG) can determine heart rate and rhythm, conduction abnormalities, damage to myocardial muscle and left ventricular size including left ventricular hypertrophy. This indicator supports early identification of target organ damage in people with a new diagnosis of hypertension.
Source guidance
Hypertension in adults: diagnosis and management. NICE guideline NG136 (2019, updated 2023), recommendations 1.2.5 and 1.3.3
Specification
Numerator: The number of patients in the denominator who have a record of a 12‑lead ECG performed in the 3 months before or after the date of entry to the hypertension register.
Denominator: The number of patients with a new diagnosis of hypertension in the preceding 1 April to 31 March.
Calculation: Numerator divided by the denominator, multiplied by 100.
Exclusions: None
Minimum population: The indicator would be appropriate to assess performance at individual general practice level.
ISBN: 978-1-4731-6095-8