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Blood Pressure Monitoring

Blood Pressure is the measure of how strongly the blood presses against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps it around your body. It demonstrates how much work your heart must do to pump the blood around your body. Blood pressure is measured by two numbers. The first number records blood pressure when the pressure is at its highest i.e. when the heart muscle squeezes out the blood – this is called systolic pressure. The second number is when the heart relaxes and allows the blood to flow back into the heart – this is called diastolic pressure. The normal level of blood pressure is typically around 120 (systolic) over 80 (diastolic) mmHg.

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What is hypertension?

Hypertension is the clinical term for high blood pressure. A person is considered to have high blood pressure if their blood pressure readings are consistently measuring at 140/90 mmHg or higher on different occasions. It is very important to get your blood pressure checked by your local Life Pharmacist as you often don’t experience any outward symptoms. If it’s not treated or kept under control, it is one of the major risk factors for heart disease and stroke.

How does our blood pressure check work?

The blood pressure measurement service is a quick and easy process whereby a cuff is attached to your upper arm to measure the flow of blood. The pharmacist will interpret your results and provide advice and information on maintaining a healthy blood pressure and a further referral to a Healthcare Professional where appropriate.

Lifestyle changes to manage your blood pressure

  • Taking regular exercise
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Stop smoking
  • Reduce daily sodium intake
  • Avoid drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
  • Reduce stress

24 HOUR BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORING (ABPM)

Life Pharmacy can provide a 24 hour blood pressure monitoring service which requires you to wear a specialised blood pressure monitor for 24 hours. This blood pressure testing takes blood pressure readings at regular intervals throughout the day and night which provides you with a profile of how your blood pressure changes throughout the day, as opposed to a single test at a particular point in the day.

How does it work?

We will fit a lightweight monitor to your waist which is connected to a cuff on your arm. The cuff will inflate every thirty minutes and squeeze your arm as it takes your blood pressure reading. After 24 hours, return to your pharmacy where a member of the pharmacy team will remove the monitor and cuff. The results will be downloaded and will show a graph illustrating your blood pressure during the 24 hour period. The pharmacy team will explain your results to you and you will be given a copy of the report to bring to your doctor if needed.