Hypertension
Return to Health
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Hypertension, more commonly known as
High Blood Pressure, is a common condition whereby the blood pumps around the
body at too high a pressure. There
is a ‘normal’ range of blood pressure and people who are found to have blood
pressures that lie above this, that is readings of 140/90 or greater on 3 or
more occasions are considered to have high blood pressure.
Hypertension usually causes no
symptoms but is an important risk factor for many conditions, in particular
heart disease and strokes. Certain
individuals have a higher chance of suffering from high blood pressure – those
with a family history of high blood pressure or heart disease, smokers,
diabetics, the overweight, and people with kidney disease are a few such
vulnerable groups. If you fall within one of these categories, or are worried
about your blood pressure please make an appointment to have it checked at the
Treatment Room.
If you have high blood pressure there
are a number of measures you can take to help reduce your readings-
- Stop
smoking. See your GP or the Stop
Smoking Clinic at BMC if you need help to do this, we can provide Nicotine
Replacement Therapy if appropriate.
- Take
aerobic exercise such as walking briskly for at least 30 minutes 3 times a
week. Please see your GP if you
are unsure if you are fit to exercise.
- Stop
adding salt at the table. Add
minimal salt during cooking. Consider
using herbs or spices or alternatives such as chilli flakes, garlic or lemon
juice instead for flavour.
- Maintain
your ideal weight – see a nurse or your doctor if you are unsure what this
is.
- Drink
alcohol in moderation – 14 units/week for women, 21 units/week for men.
- Eat
healthily – wholemeal and wholegrain foods, and at least 5 portions of
fruit or vegetables a day.
- If
you are on medication for hypertension, take it as prescribed.
BMC runs twice yearly Hypertension
clinics for all patients who have diagnosed as suffering from high blood
pressure. This is the only way the
surgery can monitor your blood pressure and adjust/commence medication if
necessary, please make sure you attend.
