The Link Between High Blood Pressure and Heart Health

Posted on 17 May 2023 by Pharmacy Mentor — No Comments ↓

At Knights Pharmacy in Cardiff, we are passionate about helping you prioritise your heart health. Heart disease remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide, but with the right knowledge and proactive steps, it is largely preventable. In this article, we will explore essential strategies for heart disease prevention in Cardiff and highlight the role Knights Pharmacy plays in supporting your journey towards a healthier heart.

Understanding Heart Disease

Around 11 per cent of men and 9 per cent of women in the UK have been diagnosed with some form of heart or circulatory disease.

The term “heart disease” refers to a broad range of conditions that compromise the structure and operation of the heart. Your health may be significantly impacted by these conditions, which include arrhythmias, heart failure, and coronary artery disease. However, you can significantly lower your risk of developing heart disease by being aware of the risk factors and taking preventative measures. Cardiff’s Knights Pharmacy is committed to educating the public and offering tools to support heart health protection.

What Symptoms Should I Look Out For?

These are some of the symptoms to watch out for:

Chest Pain – You should seek medical (999) advice as soon as possible if you have chest pain and feel extremely unwell, even if the symptoms only occur when you are exerting yourself.
Feeling Sick – If you are experiencing severe chest pain even while you are just sitting around doing nothing and you are also feeling sick, it’s time to call an ambulance.
Stomach Pain or Indigestion – An indigestion-like pain or burning sensation in your stomach or chest could indicate a heart attack or other related heart condition.
Feeling Sweaty – It’s normal to work up a sweat after working out at the gym or on a particularly hot day. However, experiencing both heat and clammyness as well as chest pains should prompt you to dial 999.
Leg Pain – It may be worthwhile to see your doctor if you experience gripping or cramping in your calves when you walk because that could be a sign of PAD (peripheral arterial disease).
Arm Pain – Arm pain can indicate a heart attack even though you may not normally associate it with your heart.
A Jaw or Back Pain – It is possible for back or jaw pain to be experienced during a heart attack. Once more, if it persists, dial 999 and request an ambulance.
Extreme Fatigue – Constant fatigue can be a sign of various health issues, including heart failure.

Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle modifications play an important role in preventing heart disease. Regular physical activity, such as walking or cycling, strengthens the heart and improves cardiovascular health.

Adopting a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins while minimising processed foods and excessive salt intake can significantly lower your risk.

Know Your Numbers

Monitoring key health indicators is vital for heart disease prevention. Regular blood pressure checks, cholesterol screenings, and diabetes management are essential components of maintaining heart health.

Knights Pharmacy in Cardiff provides convenient access to accurate screenings and professional advice on managing these risk factors. By staying informed and proactive, you can take control of your cardiovascular well-being and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Medication Management

In some cases, medication may be necessary to manage specific risk factors or existing conditions associated with heart disease. Our experienced pharmacists at Knights Pharmacy work closely with your healthcare provider to ensure proper medication management. We provide comprehensive information on medications, including usage instructions and potential side effects. With our support, you can navigate the complexities of medication management and improve your heart health effectively.

How We Can Help

Knights Pharmacy in Cardiff is your dedicated partner in heart disease prevention. By adopting lifestyle modifications, monitoring your health indicators, and leveraging community resources, you can reduce the risk of heart disease and enhance your overall well-being.

Visit Knights Pharmacy today to access personalised guidance, expert advice, and a wealth of resources for maintaining a healthy heart. Together, let’s prioritise heart health in Cardiff.

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This blog was created on behalf of Knights Pharmacy by Pharmacy Mentor.

Blood Pressure: Can Hydration and Proper Nutrition Lower Your Blood Pressure?

Posted on 22 March 2023 by Pharmacy Mentor — No Comments ↓

It’s a month all about Nutrition. And in this blog, we take a look at how hydration and nutrition can affect your blood pressure, and the steps to keep your BP optimal

In order to control blood pressure, it’s important to eat properly and drink plenty of water. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the artery walls, and it is regulated by a number of lifestyle choices, including nutrition and hydration. A diet high in nutrient-dense foods, high in potassium, and low in salt can help to maintain normal blood pressure levels. Additionally, staying hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids can also help to maintain healthy blood pressure. Keep reading to find out the foods to lower blood pressure and how you can check them at our pharmacy.

The importance of maintaining healthy blood pressure levels

All the parts of your body including vital organs like the heart, brain, and kidneys receive nutrients and oxygen from normal blood flow.

Your blood pressure usually fluctuates throughout the course of the day. The time of day, activity, stress, the foods you eat, as well as other factors all have an impact on blood pressure. Nevertheless, issues may develop if your blood pressure continues to be too high for too long.

High blood pressure can cause your heart to work harder than necessary, which can lead to the weakening of the heart. Additionally, the increased blood flow caused by high blood pressure can cause your blood vessels to become weak, stiff, or narrowed over time. Your heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes, are just a few of the vital organs that high blood pressure can damage over time.

How is blood pressure measured?

Traditionally, blood pressure was measured using a stethoscope and pump. These days, there are several different digital monitors that can be used to measure blood pressure. You can find a few here.

Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and is reported as two numbers, including systolic pressure and diastolic pressure. Systolic pressure is the pressure when the heart beats and pumps blood, and diastolic pressure is the pressure when the heart is at rest between beats. A normal blood pressure reading is typically around 120/80 mmHg.

What are the recommended lifestyle changes?

There are several lifestyle changes that can help manage blood pressure, including:

Regular exercise

Physical activity can help lower blood pressure and improve overall cardiovascular health.

Healthy diet

Eating a healthy diet that is low in sodium and rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy products can help manage blood pressure.

Maintaining a healthy weight

Being overweight or obese can increase blood pressure. Losing even a small amount of weight can help lower blood pressure.

Limiting alcohol consumption

Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure.

Quitting smoking

Smoking can damage blood vessels and increase blood pressure. Quitting smoking can improve overall cardiovascular health and help manage blood pressure.

Managing stress

Chronic stress can increase blood pressure. Finding ways to manage stress, such as relaxation techniques or counselling, can help manage blood pressure.

Monitoring blood pressure regularly

Regular blood pressure checks through a monitor can help identify high blood pressure early and allow for timely management.

What food can I eat that will help?

Anyone with high blood pressure, including people using blood pressure-lowering medication, should follow a heart-healthy diet. Consuming foods rich in minerals like magnesium and potassium may be very beneficial.

The following foods are some of the best for lowering blood pressure:

Citrus fruits
Fatty fish like salmon
Swiss chard
Pumpkin seeds
Beans and lentils
Berries
Amaranth
Carrots
Celery
Tomatoes
Broccoli
Some herbs and spices
Spinach

It’s important to remember that adopting a healthy diet, along with other lifestyle changes, can drastically lower your blood pressure and help lessen your risk of developing complications.

Getting your blood pressure checked at Knights Pharmacy

Visit your nearest Knights Pharmacy branch today to check your blood pressure. You can also shop online for blood pressure monitors to help track your blood pressure at home.

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This post was written on behalf of Knights Pharmacy by Pharmacy Mentor

What are the Risks of High Blood Pressure?

Posted on 8 March 2023 by Pharmacy Mentor — No Comments ↓

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension is a condition that affects the arteries in the body. The blood’s constant pressure against the artery walls is too high if you have high blood pressure. Therefore, the heart has to work harder to pump blood. Keep reading to learn various high blood pressure risks and how you can check your blood pressure at one our pharmacies in the West Midlands.

High blood pressure risks

High blood pressure is a condition when the blood continually exerts a lot of pressure against the artery walls. If untreated, high blood pressure can result in a number of severe health risks, such as:

Heart disease

Heart failure, coronary artery disease, and an enlarged heart can all be caused by high blood pressure, which makes the heart work harder.

Stroke

High blood pressure increases the chance of blood clots, which can cause stroke, and damages blood vessels.

Kidney damage

The blood vessels in the kidneys can become damaged by high blood pressure, which can cause renal disease or even kidney failure.

Vision loss

Blood vessels in the eyes can be affected by high blood pressure, which can result in blindness or visual loss.

Sexual dysfunction

Blood flow to the genitals can be impacted by high blood pressure. This can cause erectile dysfunction in men or diminished sexual desire in women.

Cognitive impairment

High blood pressure can harm the brain’s blood vessels and cause cognitive dysfunction, such as memory loss and difficulty concentrating.

Peripheral artery disease

The arteries in the legs and feet might narrow due to high blood pressure. This reduces blood flow and raises the risk of infection or amputation.

What are the 5 factors that affect your blood pressure?

Your blood pressure can be impacted by a number of things, including:

Age

Your blood vessels get stiffer and less flexible as you become older, which might raise your blood pressure.

Weight

Carrying a lot of additional weight or being obese might strain your heart and blood vessels more, raising your blood pressure.

Physical activity

By strengthening and increasing the effectiveness of your heart and blood vessels, regular exercise can help to lower your blood pressure.

Diet

Eating a diet high in sodium, saturated fats, and processed foods can raise your blood pressure.

Stress

Using healthy stress management techniques, like exercise, meditation, or deep breathing, can help decrease blood pressure. Chronic stress can lead your body to generate hormones that elevate it.

How can I find out if I have high blood pressure?

The severity and duration of hypertension, as well as your general health and other cardiovascular disease risk factors, can all affect how long you can survive with uncontrolled high blood pressure.

It’s crucial if you have the high blood pressure to coordinate with your healthcare provider to create a treatment plan. This will take into account your needs and risk factors, as well as frequently monitor your blood pressure to make sure it’s under control.

The NHS Community Pharmacy Hypertension Case-Finding Advanced Service

The NHS Community Pharmacy Blood Pressure Check Programme also known as the NHS Community Pharmacy Hypertension Case-Finding Advanced Service promotes risk assessment and cardiovascular disease prevention (CVD).

This service:

Encourages service users to adopt healthy behaviours.
Identifies adults over 40 who have not yet received a diagnosis of hypertension (high blood pressure), and sends individuals who may have the condition for proper treatment.
Refers those with high blood pressure to a general practitioner for continued treatment to manage their condition.

How can I avoid high blood pressure risks and get a check in the West Midlands?

Visit or book your appointment with your nearest Knights Pharmacy to check your blood pressure and avoid high blood pressure risks. You can also shop online at Chemist.net for at-home monitoring devices.