Kidney Disease Archives - Knights Pharmacy

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

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.

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

Kidney Disease

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

The importance of maintaining healthy blood pressure levels

How is blood pressure measured?