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The Role of Diet and Exercise in Managing Blood Pressure

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Blood Pressure Management in Redditch

Are you searching for blood pressure management techniques in Redditch? Look nowhere else! We at Knights Pharmacy in Redditch are dedicated to assisting you in maintaining healthy blood pressure levels and taking charge of your health. This article will discuss the importance of blood pressure control, offer helpful insights, and offer practical suggestions on how to live a heart-healthy lifestyle in Redditch.

Understanding Blood Pressure

One of the most important indicators of your cardiovascular health is blood pressure. It determines the pressure that your arteries’ walls experience as blood flows through them. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a common condition that, if uncontrolled, can have serious health repercussions. Knights Pharmacy in Redditch is committed to educating the public about blood pressure control and helping people to maintain healthy levels.

Symptoms of High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, or hypertension, rarely has noticeable symptoms. But if left untreated, it raises your risk of developing serious conditions like heart attacks and strokes.
Around 1 in 4 adults in the UK have high blood pressure, although many will not realise it.
The only way to find out if your blood pressure is high is to have your blood pressure checked.

How is Blood Pressure Tested?

Blood pressure was traditionally measured with a stethoscope, arm cuff, pump, and dial, but nowadays automatic devices with sensors and digital displays are frequently used.

The Role of Lifestyle

Adopting a healthy lifestyle is essential for controlling high blood pressure.
Regular exercise can lower blood pressure. Examples include cycling or brisk walking.

Making changes to what you eat can help control high blood pressure.

  • Reduce Sodium (salt) – If you have hypertension or elevated blood pressure, reducing your sodium intake can help lower your blood pressure.
  • Reduce alcohol – Drinking a lot of alcohol increases your risk of developing high blood pressure.
  • Eat more fruits and vegetables – Increasing the number of fruits and vegetables in your diet can help lower high blood pressure or prevent the onset of high blood pressure, as well as improve your general health.
  • Eat more fibre – Increasing your intake of fibre may lower your blood pressure. 20 to 35 grammes of dietary fibre are advised to be consumed daily.
  • Eat more fish – Consuming more fish, particularly when combined with weight loss, may help lower blood pressure.
  • Caffeine – People who don’t regularly consume caffeine may experience a brief rise in blood pressure. A moderate intake of caffeine, or about two cups of coffee per day, usually has no effect on blood pressure in regular caffeine users.

Knights Pharmacy gives you customised advice on lifestyle changes that are catered to your unique requirements, enabling you to implement long-lasting changes.

Blood Pressure Management in Redditch

Monitoring and Medications

Effective management requires regular blood pressure monitoring. You can easily access accurate blood pressure checks at Knights Pharmacy in Redditch, ensuring that you are always aware of your current readings. If necessary, our knowledgeable pharmacists can go over the possible medication options that your doctor has recommended, assisting you in understanding their intended use, any possible side effects, and appropriate dosage. We are available to answer your questions and provide encouragement as you work to control your blood pressure.

How We Can Help

With Knights Pharmacy in Redditch, blood pressure management becomes an attainable goal. By prioritising lifestyle changes, monitoring your blood pressure regularly, and leveraging community resources, you can take charge of your health. Visit Knights Pharmacy today to discover personalised guidance and expertise in managing blood pressure. Together, let’s make Redditch a community that prioritises heart health and empowers individuals to lead fulfilling, healthy lives.

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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?

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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.

Foods to lower blood pressure

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.

Foods to lower blood pressure

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?

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high blood pressure risks in West Midlands

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.

high blood pressure risks in West Midlands

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.

high blood pressure risks in West Midlands

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.

Knights Pharmacy Branch

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.

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

Take Control of Your Health: Get Your Blood Pressure Checked for Free

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Only a blood pressure test can determine whether your blood pressure is low or high. Understanding your results is crucial for controlling high blood pressure. Keep reading to find out where to get a free blood pressure check in the West Midlands.

What are the types of blood pressure?

The British Heart Foundation has identified five blood pressure ranges. These include:

Normal

Blood pressure levels that are lower than 120/80 mm Hg are considered normal. If your results fall into this category, keep up your heart-healthy routines of eating a balanced diet and working out frequently.

Elevated

Consider elevated blood pressure when readings consistently fall between 120 and 129 systolic and are less than 80 mm Hg diastolic If they don’t take steps to control it, those with elevated levels are more prone to develop high blood pressure.

Stage 1 Hypertension

Stage 1 hypertension is defined as blood pressure that consistently ranges between 130 and 139 systolic as well as 80 to 89 mm Hg diastolic. At this stage of high blood pressure, doctors or pharmacists will probably suggest lifestyle changes and may perhaps think about adding blood pressure medication. This will usually be determined by the risk of getting Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD), such as a heart attack or stroke.

Stage 2 hypertension

Diagnose yourself with Stage 2 hypertension if your blood pressure consistently registers at 140/90 mm Hg or higher This may require a combination of taking blood pressure medications and making lifestyle changes.

Hypertensive Crisis

Medical intervention is required for this severity of hypertension. Wait five minutes before taking a second reading if your blood pressure unexpectedly goes above 180/120 mm Hg. See your doctor right away if your results continue to be excessively high. You could be experiencing a hypertensive emergency. To receive emergency care, you can also dial NHS 111.

Don’t wait for your blood pressure to drop on its own if it is higher than 180/120 mm Hg and you are experiencing signs of organ damage such as chest pain, back pain, difficulty breathing, numbness or weakness, visual changes, or difficulty speaking. Get medical care right away.

free blood pressure check in West Midlands

Where can I get a free blood pressure check in the West Midlands?

Arranging a blood pressure check is easy. Simply schedule an appointment with your general practitioner, practice nurse, or pharmacy. You can get them in a number of other places as well. It is worthwhile to look around because the checks should often be free.

  • Your doctor’s surgery
  • Your local pharmacy
  • NHS Health Checks
  • Some workplaces
  • Some gyms and health clubs
  • Local community health events
  • Well man clinics for men

If you have recently checked your blood pressure outside of a hospital or doctor’s office and the reading was high, it is important to schedule a visit with your GP as soon as possible. The sooner you take action, the better your chances are of getting an accurate diagnosis and effectively managing your hypertension.

What is the hypertension Case Finding service?

The Hypertension Case Finding Service is an Advanced Service to support the NHS Long Term Plan ambitions for preventing cardiovascular disease.

This service is made up of 2 stages:

Stage 1 involves identifying those at risk of hypertension and providing them with blood pressure monitoring (clinic check).

Stage 2: Conduct 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring when necessary for a diagnosis of hypertension. Share the results with the patient’s doctor.

Knights Pharmacy Branch

Where can I get a free blood pressure check in the West Midlands?

Visit or book an appointment with your nearest Knights Pharmacy branch to get your free blood pressure check in the West Midlands. Get in touch with us for more information. You can also shop for home health monitoring devices online at Chemist.net.

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

How Do You Keep Your Blood Pressure Down?

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how to reduce blood pressure

Hypertension, often known as high blood pressure, is sometimes referred to as the “silent killer.” Despite having a high risk of heart disease as well as stroke, it usually exhibits no symptoms. These conditions are some of the main causes of fatalities in the world today. Contact your doctor right away if you experience any high blood pressure issues, such as a heart attack or stroke. Do not try home treatments in such serious circumstances. Keep reading to learn how to reduce your blood pressure.

How can I reduce my blood pressure?

Making changes to your lifestyle doesn’t necessarily mean embarking on a major life overhaul to lower your blood pressure. Here are five easy steps you may take to help lower your blood pressure and return it to normal.

1. Lose weight

Losing weight is by far the most efficient way to lower high blood pressure. Furthermore, it doesn’t take much weight loss to notice a difference. If you are overweight, even a 10-pound weight loss can lower your blood pressure.

2. Regular exercise

Exercise doesn’t have to be intense to improve your health. Aim for at least a half-hour for about 5 days a week. Ensure that you do something you love, otherwise, it won’t stick. That can entail dancing for some people, biking for others, or strolling with a friend. Even routine hobbies like gardening can be beneficial.

how reduce blood pressure

3. Weight lifting to reduce blood pressure

To aid in weight loss and staying fit, incorporate weightlifting into your training routine. As we get older, women lose muscle mass progressively, and for the most part, weightlifting is neglected as a form of exercise.

4. Limit your alcohol intake

Drinking excessively and regularly can increase your chances of developing high blood pressure, so it’s important to practice moderation.

5. Reduce stress

Your blood vessels are constricted by stress hormones, which can cause brief increases in blood pressure. Stress can also gradually lead to bad habits that endanger your cardiovascular health. Overeating, insufficient sleep, and abusing drugs and alcohol are a few examples. For all of these reasons, if you want to lower your blood pressure, stress reduction should be a top goal.

What foods can lower blood pressure?

All patients with high blood pressure, especially those using blood pressure-lowering medication, should follow a balanced, heart-healthy diet.

Research has shown that having some foods in your diet, particularly those high in specific nutrients such as potassium and magnesium, lowers your blood pressure levels. A balanced diet is crucial for decreasing blood pressure and keeping ideal levels.

The best foods to eat to lower blood pressure include:

  • Eating more fish, almonds, and legumes (beans).
  • Opting for fruits and vegetables rather than salty or sweet snacks and sweets.
  • Going for whole grain products made from grains rather than highly processed white flour when choosing pasta, bread, as well as other carbohydrate-rich foods.
  • Eat fruits in place of fruit juice.
  • Using unsaturated fats such as olive, canola, peanut, corn, soybean or safflower oils Instead of butter, coconut oil, or palm kernel oil.
  • Opting for fresh or frozen foods rather than processed and canned ones.
  • Choosing low-sodium foods whenever possible; substitute vinegar, spices, herbs, and other low-sodium flavourings for salt.
  • Cutting back on your calorie intake if you’re trying to lose weight.
  • If you need assistance, keep a weekly journal detailing every meal you consume. Have a dietician look over this info.

how to reduce blood pressure

Where can I get my blood pressure tested for free?

Book your appointment with your nearest Knights Pharmacy branch for a free blood pressure check. You can also shop online at Chemist.net for blood pressure monitors to ensure that you reduce your blood pressure to normal.

Shop Now

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

Uncovering the Signs: How to Tell if You Have High Blood Pressure?

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In the UK, more than one in four people have high blood pressure, although many do not even realise it. Most individuals who have high blood pressure are in good health. However, you should still have your blood pressure monitored frequently even if you feel well. It is advised that you have it checked at least once every five years if you are a healthy adult over 40. However, you should have it monitored more frequently, ideally once a year, if you’re more likely to develop high blood pressure. Keep reading to learn the signs of high blood pressure.

What are the signs of high blood pressure?

You should be aware of the following symptoms if your blood pressure is excessively high:

  • Severe headaches
  • Vision problems
  • Blood in the urine
  • Chest pain
  • Nosebleed
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue or confusion
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Pounding in your chest, neck, or ears

signs high blood pressure

When should you see a Doctor?

If you experience any of the aforementioned signs, visit a doctor right away. It’s possible that you’re having a hypertensive crisis, which could cause a heart attack or stroke. You can potentially be dealing with another serious medical issue.

Most of the time, headaches and nosebleeds are not caused by high blood pressure. However, this is possible during a hypertensive crisis when the blood pressure is higher than 180/120. If you have these symptoms and your blood pressure is exceptionally high, take a five-minute break and recheck. If your blood pressure is still unusually high, it’s a medical emergency, call 999.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that high blood pressure typically has no symptoms. Therefore, everyone should regularly have it checked. Adults with normal blood pressure are advised to have their blood pressure monitored annually at routine medical appointments. You could also ask someone else in your neighbourhood to check it.

If you have high blood pressure, your pharmacist or doctor might advise you to check your blood pressure more frequently at home. Monitors used at home might perform better than those found in stores. Your doctor may advise lifestyle modifications to decrease blood pressure along with prescription medications.

Untreated hypertension can lead to stroke, heart disease, renal failure, and vision issues.

Navigating High Blood Pressure – Diagnosis and Support

You can get a blood pressure check at:

  • Some pharmacies
  • GP surgeries
  • Some workplaces

It is possible to receive a free NHS health check in England if you are between the ages of 40 and 74. Other UK regions also offer similar programmes. You should receive a letter from your doctor about this every five years, but you may also just schedule a blood pressure check session.

signs high blood pressure

Take Control of Your Blood Pressure: Get Help and Support Now

There are numerous medications on the market that can lower blood pressure. If your blood pressure is deemed to be high, your doctor may suggest taking medication. If your blood pressure is persistently very high, regardless of any other issues you might have, they might also advise you to take medications to lower it.

It’s important to note that you’re not alone if you have high blood pressure. It’s necessary to seek out support from family, friends, and medical professionals. Make sure to routinely check your blood pressure and keep a diary of your readings. As a result, you can keep track of your progress.

Knights Pharmacy Branch

Book your appointment with or visit your nearest Knights Pharmacy branch to learn more about the signs of high blood pressure and how to get tested.

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