High blood pressure is a leading risk factor for Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) and a silent threat, affecting over 5.5 million undiagnosed individuals in England. Early detection is crucial to reduce CVD risks. Amidst a decline in monitoring due to COVID-19, Oxenhope Pharmacy partners with the NHS to offer Blood Pressure Checks in Keighley.
What is High Blood Pressure?
Hypertension, also known as High Blood Pressure, is a common condition whereby the long-term force of blood against your artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause severe health problems.
Unfortunately, Hypertension does not portray any noticeable symptoms and the only way to find out if your blood pressure is high is to have it checked, therefore it is important to get regular check-ups from your GP or us, your nearest community pharmacy, that offers Blood Pressure Checks in Keighley. If left untreated, it can increase your risk of serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes.
Causes of High Blood Pressure
The causes of high blood pressure are not always clear, however, you may be at a higher risk if you:
- eat too much salt and do not eat enough fruit and vegetables
- do not do enough exercise
- are overweight
- drink too much alcohol or caffeine-based drinks
- smoke regularly
- are over the age of 65
- are sleep-deprived or have disturbed sleep
- have a relative with high blood pressure
- are of black African or black Caribbean descent
- live in a deprived area
How to Reduce Blood Pressure
There are lifestyle changes that you can make that can help prevent developing Hypertension, or they may help you reduce it.
You should:
- exercise regularly
- monitor your salt intake and drink plenty of water
- increase your fibre intake and always aim to get your 5 a day
- lose some weight (if your BMI is above 25)
- stop smoking
- reduce alcohol & caffeine intake
- focus on getting good sleep
About Our Blood Pressure Checks Service
This service works to identify people in our community who are at risk of hypertension. Simply book an appointment to get your blood pressure checked and following the results we will assist in giving you healthy living advice as well as sign-post you to the necessary healthcare professionals if needed.
Testing your blood pressure at home is an important step in managing your health, especially if your GP suspects you may have high blood pressure (hypertension). One effective method your GP might recommend is 24-hour or ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). This involves using a cuff attached to a portable device worn on your arm that measures your blood pressure at regular intervals over 24 hours. You may be offered ABPM depending on your blood pressure readings and we can provide this service. The benefit of ABPM is that it allows you to continue with your daily activities while providing your doctor with a comprehensive picture of your blood pressure throughout the day and night. Additionally, if you need to monitor your blood pressure regularly at home, you can purchase a reliable blood pressure machine for consistent tracking and early detection of any potential issues.
The following patients are eligible to receive this service:
- Adults 40+ years old who do not have a diagnosis of hypertension
- Adults under the age of 40 with a family history of hypertension (this is at our pharmacist’s discretion and appointment availability)
- Self-requested adults between the ages of 35-39 (this is at our pharmacist’s discretion and appointment availability)
Please note we are unable to provide this service to patients who already have their blood pressure monitored regularly by a healthcare professional.
Book an appointment below or get in touch with our friendly team today.
