British and Irish Hypertension Society
The British and Irish Hypertension Society is the forum for professionals working in the field of hypertension and cardiovascular disease in the UK and Ireland. The Society membership comprises doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers specialising in the delivery of care in hypertension and allied fields, together with clinicians and scientists in the forefront of cardiovascular research and cardiovascular disease in the UK, Ireland and beyond.
The British Hypertension Society was founded in 1981 by eight clinicians "to provide a suitable forum where physicians, surgeons, physiologists, pharmacologists and others interested in the subject of hypertension could meet and present their work". In 2016 the membership voted to change the Society's name to the British & Irish Hypertension Society (BIHS) as it is now known.
The Society provides a broad spectrum of scientific and educational activities. These include the production and regular updating of internationally renowned Guidelines for the management of hypertension; an Information Service for healthcare professionals; Advocacy for the prevention and management of high blood pressure and its complications; a Validation Service for manufacturers of blood pressure monitors and the only independent, peer-reviewed list of Validated Blood Pressure Monitors that is not governed by commercial interest; coordinating Collaborative Research into aspects of hypertension and cardiovascular risk; providing Educational Resources which are free to download from our website; and holding Scientific Meetings covering all aspects of research and the delivery of care related to hypertension and cardiovascular disease. A Young Investigators Network has recently been established to support younger members and engage them in the activities of the Society.
An Annual Scientific Meeting is held every September at a University Campus in the UK or Ireland which is open to members and non-members alike. Prizes are awarded at the meeting for the best submitted abstracts.
The Society has seven working parties:
- Guidelines and Information Service
- Blood Pressure Management
- Educational Programmes
- Collaborative Research
- Nurse and Allied Health Professionals
- Young Investigators
- Irish Network
