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What is HYPERTENSION?
- Blood pressure is created by the heart pushing blood through the blood vessels to get blood around the body.
- Blood pressure for a hypertensive patient is constantly higher than is needed, even when they are relaxed and sitting quietly.
Signs and symptoms
- Usually there are no symptoms until the continued pressure damages certain organs.
- This can happen after years of having high blood pressure.
WHO is at risk?
- Family history
- Overweight
- No exercise
- High intake of fat and salt
- Taking oral contraceptive pills
- On certain medications (ask the pharmacist)
- Smoking
- Drinking too much alcohol
If untreated, it can lead to :
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Kidney damage
- Eye damage
Self care
- Exercise regularly
- Keeping your ideal weight – consult our doctors/pharmacists about a weight loss programme.
- Watch your diet - Reduce fat and salt intake.
- Monitor own blood pressure regularly – consult our pharmacist for a home BP meter. You should see your doctor if you have:
- Diastolic BP constantly over 90mmHg or systolic BP constantly over 140mmHg
- Swollen ankles/fingers
- Breathlessness
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness
- Repeated nose bleed
- Repeated morning headaches
- Be a non-smoker
- Reduce alcohol intake
- Use natural substitutes for salt in cooking: herbs, spices, vinegar, lemon juice etc.
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Medicines
- Medicines can control but not cure hypertension and has to be taken for life.
- Have BP measured every 3-6months to make sure the medicine is working well.
- Consult a doctor/pharmacist if you have problems with the medication. The doctor can always prescribe another medicine from the wide variety available.
- Talk to the doctor before you wish to reduce or stop the medicine.
Supplements
- Omega-3 Fish oil
- shown to be beneficial in lowering blood pressure and it reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack.
- Green total
- provides complete and balanced natural nutrients which help to strengthen blood vessels of the heart.
- Co-enzyme Q10
- Low blood levels of CoQ10 have been found in people with hypertension and taking CoQ10 supplement has shown to be beneficial to this group of patients.
* Always ask a pharmacist when choosing a supplement for your condition
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