Hypertension

What is Hypertension?

Hypertension is the name for 'high blood pressure' blood pressure, high blood pressure
 
Blood pressure is the force that your heart uses to pump blood around the body. When that pressure is too high, it is called 'hypertension'. 
 
You can reduce your blood pressure making some lifestyle changes. Have a look at the advice below to see how you could help lower your blood pressure.  

Hannah

Hypertension Clinics at Bangholm

Meet Hannah, our lovely pharmacist who runs our hypertension clinic here at Bangholm. Hannah's clinics run weekly and can be face-to-face or over the phone. 

Hannah works alongside our patients to reduce their risks of stroke and heart attacks by offering treatment and advice to reduce blood pressures. 

To access Hannah's clinic, give us a call or speak to your GP. 

How to Take your Blood Pressure

Monitoring your blood pressure at home is useful way of seeing what your blood pressure is like in your daily life. To get accurate readings, it is important to use the right monitor and the right technique. To find a list of monitors recommended by the British Hypertension Society, please click here: https://bihsoc.org/bp-monitors/for-home-use/ 

  • Ensure you are sitting comfortably for a couple of minutes
  • Avoid talking or moving whilst taking your blood pressure
  • Support your arm at the level of your heart (ensure no tight clothing)
  • Place the cuff round your arm as directed in the monitor’s instructions
  • Take your blood pressure two or three times, leaving at least 1 minute between readings
  • Make note of each reading
  • Repeat the blood pressure readings twice daily, ideally morning and evening, for between 4 to 7 days. 

blood pressure, high blood pressure

Lifestyle Advice to Help Reduce Blood Pressure

Certain lifestyle changes can help to manage and lower your blood pressure. These include:

  • Reducing the amount of salt you eat
  • Reducing your alcohol intake
  • Exercising regularly
  • Cutting down on caffeine
  • Losing weight if you are overweight
  • Stopping smoking - if you need help with this, please click here

Understanding Blood Pressure

Blood pressure refers to the force of blood against the walls of the arteries and is made up of two numbers eg. 120/80mmHg. 

The first number refers to the pressure in your arteries when your heart contracts. We call this the systolic pressure.

The second number represents the pressure in your arteries when your heart is resting between beats. We call this the diastolic pressure.

Blood pressure varies from moment to moment, and is also in different individuals, so there is no definitive 'perfect' blood pressure.

You can use the general rule below to help you understand your readings:

  • In the surgery= less than 140/90mmHg
  • At home= 135/85mmHg. 

Readings at home may be lower as opposed to having your blood pressure taken in the practice as some people may feel stressed or anxious about coming to the surgery. Therefore, 'at home' readings can help provide more accurate readings.