Our Blood Pressure Checking Service is administered within all of our branches by the trained pharmacy team located within each branch. You aren’t needed to make an appointment on most occasions. You can just walk in and ask for a Blood Pressure Checking Service. However, if you’re busy and don’t want to be kept waiting, we advise you to pre-book this free service at your convenience and we will make sure that you are prioritised for that time by one of our professional staff team.
Once you arrive for your blood pressure check, our trained professionals will take you to one of our GPhC approved consultation rooms, where you’ll be asked to rest and relax for 5 minutes; that way, that we can then measure your blood pressure in a relaxed and comfortable environment, and without you feeling under any stress.
All blood pressure readings are presented in the form of two readings; systolic pressure and diastolic pressure (mmHg) – the diagram below shows what each of those means.
Why do I need my blood pressure checking?
A blood pressure check is important because the higher your blood pressure is, the higher your risk of health problems in the future. If your blood pressure is high, it is putting extra strain on your arteries and on your heart. This may eventually cause a heart attack or stroke as your heart is trying to regulate your blood at the time you’re in most commonly in stress. This causes your heart to work faster than normal hence the reason as to why you may have heart-related issues in the near future if it isn’t looked at and monitored.
How often should I have my blood pressure checked?
You should get your blood pressure checked at least once every five years. However, as you get older your blood pressure is likely to increase and you should be checked more often. It is recommended for the people aged forty and over to get their blood pressure checked at least once every year.
For those who have high blood pressure or even on the high side of a normal blood pressure reading. It would be advised to go once every year at the least.
Your doctor or pharmacist may advise you to have it checked more often than that if you are deemed to be at a high risk of developing cardiac or stroke problems. Therefore you should always keep on top of your health and if you feel any changes it would be worthwhile talking to your doctor.
What are the early warning signs of high blood pressure?
If your blood pressure is extremely high, there may be certain symptoms to look out for which is quite noticeable. They could be:
- Severe headache
- Fatigue or confusion
- Vision problems
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Irregular heartbeat
- Blood in the urine
- Pounding in your chest, neck, or ears
Although they could sound like times where you generally feel tired or have a headache. Times, where you feel like you shouldn’t be tired, is where you stay cautious about your activities and note them down and get some advice from your doctor.
How much does anxiety raise Blood Pressure?
If you are anxious, your arteries will begin to restrict itself and tighten. This causes your blood to be flowing around at a much irregular rate. As a result of this, your heart is then needed to work harder to pump blood through your body. Due to this stress is one such cause of anxiety, and stress that can then lead to high blood pressure (hypertension).
Anxiety doesn’t cause long term high blood pressure. Anxiety technically causes fluctuations in your blood pressure resulting in a temporary change. However, having it every day can cause damage to your blood vessels as the arterioles contract more forcefully at a longer period of time. Due to this, you may even be tempted to start smoking or drinking more as a result of this which can result in a rise of blood pressure.
Can you feel when your blood pressure is high?
Most people who have high blood pressure do not have symptoms. In some cases, people with high blood pressure may feel more sluggish. There are no real symptoms and there are different conditions for people. In fact, High Blood Pressure is known as a silent killer. If you have any headaches that are painful or notice a change it is best to call a doctor.
Do bananas lower blood pressure?
Studies have shown that having a banana a day can help lower blood pressure. The fruit is filled with potassium which is best known for lowering blood pressure. Potassium is a mineral that is needed for our body to balance out the effects that salt can have on our body and help the kidney function well. This is done by controlling the amount of fluid stored. The more fluid there is stored in your body, the higher your blood pressure.
One study, in particular, said just two bananas a day can reduce your blood pressure by 10 per cent! Other potassium-rich foods include potatoes, dates, and avocados.
Can Apple cider vinegar lower blood pressure immediately?
It also soothes sore throats, cures hiccups instantly, and lowers cholesterol. Three teaspoons per day of apple cider vinegar can lower your blood pressure significantly within a week.
Can lack of sleep cause high blood pressure?
Over time, a lack of sleep could hurt your body’s ability to regulate stress hormones, leading to high blood pressure. Obstructive sleep apnea may be the cause, and it can increase your risk of high blood pressure, as well as heart problems and other health issues.
Can dehydration cause high blood pressure?
Hypertension- High blood pressure is common in people who are chronically dehydrated. When the body’s cells lack water, the brain sends a signal to the pituitary gland to secrete vasopressin, a chemical that causes constriction of the blood vessels. This causes blood pressure to increase, which leads to hypertension.
What foods can I eat to lower my blood pressure?
- Porridge.
- Low fat, natural yoghurt.
- Fruits, especially strawberries and bananas.
- Seeds.
- Kale.
Do apples lower blood pressure?
Apples lower blood pressure. That’s because apples are a great source of quercetin, a flavonoid that is quickly absorbed into your system and attacks free radicals, supports veins, and lowers blood pressure naturally.
Is cucumber good for high blood pressure?
Cucumbers contain a lot of fiber, potassium and magnesium. These nutrients work effectively for regulating blood pressure. That is why cucumber is good for treating both high blood pressure and low blood pressure.
What will bring blood pressure down quickly?
Here are 8 simple lifestyle changes you can make to lower your blood pressure and keep it down.
- Lose extra pounds and watch your waistline.
- Exercise regularly.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Reduce sodium in your diet.
- Limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
- Quit smoking.
- Cut back on caffeine.
- Reduce your stress.
Can drinking lots of water lower blood pressure?
Staying adequately hydrated is one of the simplest ways to lower your blood pressure naturally – try to drink at least 1.5 litres of water a day.
What is the best drink for high blood pressure?
Pomegranate Juice.
Loaded with potassium and other heart-healthy nutrients, pomegranate juice has three times the antioxidant activity of green tea or red wine. It’s no surprise, then, that a 2017 review of clinically sound studies found that regularly drinking pomegranate juice can significantly reduce blood pressure.
What snacks are good for high blood pressure?
These Snacks Can Help You Avoid High Blood Pressure: –
- Carrots and hummous.
- Greek yogurt with berries.
- Apple slices and peanut butter.
- Whole wheat crackers with tuna.
- Dark chocolate covered bananas.
- Avoid salty snacks, such as chips and salsa, salted nuts, etc.
What vitamins help with blood pressure?
- Folic acid.
- Vitamin D.
- Magnesium.
- Potassium.
- CoQ10.
- Fiber.
- Acetyl-L-carnitine.
- Garlic.
Simply pop along to the nearest PillBox pharmacy to you, and ask our in-branch team to make you an appointment. If the branch isn’t busy, we’ll be able to see you there and then to conduct your blood pressure test. Once your readings have been taken, you will be able to speak at length to the pharmacist who took your test so that you can understand what the readings mean. You can also discuss a diet and exercise plan with our pharmacy team if you need advice on lowering or controlling your blood pressure.