What is blood pressure control?
If you present at your IPSA Medical clinic with high blood pressure (BP) then there are effective steps that can be taken that will lower your BP through changing certain aspects of your lifestyle and also by taking appropriate medication.
Your BP treatment will depend on your current BP level and also on your risk of cardiovascular disease (e.g. your risk of having a stroke or having a heart attack).
If you present with a BP slightly over 130/80mmHg, but with a low risk of cardiovascular disease, then you can probably lower your BP by making some changes to your current lifestyle.
If you present with a moderately high BP (140/90mmHg or higher) plus being at risk of cardiovascular disease in the next 10 years, then your treatment will likely involve medication alongside lifestyle adjustments.
If you present with a BP that is very high (180/110mmHg or higher), then depending on your current health status, you will need immediate treatment and perhaps further diagnostic tests.
Your IPSA Medical blood-pressure consultation
If you are currently experiencing headaches or you generally feel unwell, visit your IPSA Medical clinic for your immediate BP check-up. During your IPSA Medical blood-pressure consultation, your IPSA Medical clinician will work with you respectfully, and with full privacy and confidentiality, as he or she runs through your cardiovascular disease and kidney problem risk factors. Your IPSA Medical practitioner will discuss and explain the full range of available blood tests for full health screening (so that you feel assured) and how these can be employed for monitoring any current medical conditions you may have.
What is normal blood pressure?
A normal BP is 90/60mmHg to 120/80mm/Hg. Having a raised BP means having a BP of 120/80mmHg to 140/90mmHg, with a high BP being anything over 140/90mmHg. If your current BP is found to be over 180/110mmHg, then it is classified as very high BP.
IPSA Medical’s high blood pressure treatments
If BP treatment is required then your IPSA Medical practitioner can start you on your BP treatment immediately. You will also be given full advice at the time of your IPSA Medical blood-pressure consultation on your diet, on healthy eating and on natural forms of supplementation that work by improving your BP.
BP and lifestyle changes
- Cut your salt intake to 0.2oz (6g) per day or less
- Switch to a low-fat, healthier balanced diet with ample fresh fruits and vegetables
- Exercise more, because this is extremely important in preventing/controlling high BP
- Reduce your alcohol intake
- Stop smoking to greatly reduce lung disease and your heart attack risk (IPSA Medical can help with Champix and Varencycline)
- Reduce your tea and coffee intake and cut back on caffeine drinks (e.g. cola)
- Lose weight
- Try meditation, yoga, or stress management to relax
What medicines are available at my IPSA Medical clinic for high blood pressure?
Many BP-lowering medicines are currently on the market and you might need to combine several types of BP medication, because drug combinations are sometimes required, especially when treating high BP.
Additionally, depending on your ethnic origin, some high-BP treatments will work better for different ethnic groups.
What complications are there from high blood pressure?
High BP (which is also known as hypertension) exerts extra strain on both your heart and blood vessels.
If this is not then treated, over time, this additional pressure on your system can increase your stroke, heart attack or kidney disease risk.
Cardiovascular disease
Having high BP can result in different blood vessel and heart diseases including:
- An embolism, when either a blood clot or air bubble blocks your vessel’s blood flow
- A stroke, where your blood supply is cut to a part of your brain
- A heart attack, where there is a sudden blockage to your blood supply to your heart
- An aneurysm, where a burst in your blood vessel wall produces internal bleeding
Kidney disease
Having high BP can also cause damage to small blood vessels in your kidneys and this prevents them from working fully, which leads to symptoms like:
- Blood in your urine
- Tiredness
- Urinating more often, especially during the night
- Shortness of breath
- Swollen hands, ankles or hands due to water retention
- Itchy skin
If you do have any BP concerns or you would simply like to have your BP checked out, then book your IPSA Medical blood-pressure consultation online or phone IPSA Medical for our same-day service.
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