How Well can help you manage your blood pressure

When your blood pressure is too high, it puts extra strain on your blood vessels and heart, as well as your brain, kidneys and eyes.

There are almost no noticeable symptoms of having high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, and the only way to find out what your blood pressure is by having a test.

According to the NHS, around a third of adults in the UK have high blood pressure, but might not realise it. If it isn’t managed, high blood pressure can lead to heart disease, stroke and kidney disease among other illnesses.

There isn’t always a clear cause of high blood pressure, but certain factors can increase your risk. These include:

• Having a family history of high blood pressure
• Eating too much salt
• Being overweight
• Not getting enough exercise
• Smoking
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Frequently not getting enough sleep

In around 1 in 20 cases, high blood pressure is caused by another health condition, or by taking another medication. These include:

• Having kidney disease or a long-term kidney infection
• Having diabetes
• Having a hormone problem, such as an over- or under-active thyroid
• Taking medicines such as the contraceptive pill, steroids, or NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen)

Treatment for hypertension usually involves making lifestyle changes and/or medicine. Your doctor might suggest you make some of the following changes:

• Eat a healthy, balanced diet, and reduce the amount of salt you eat
• Stop smoking
• Cut down on caffeine and alcohol
• Get active, and if you’re overweight, lose weight

Should I get my blood pressure checked?

As there are no symptoms of high blood pressure, the only way to know if you have it is to do a test. The NHS recommends adults over 40 have their blood pressure checked at least once every five years. However, if you’re at an increased risk of hypertension, you should get it checked once a year.

You can get your blood pressure checked at any Well Pharmacy. You don’t need to make an appointment, and the process will take place in a private consultation room. Your pharmacist will be able to advise you what your result means, and if you need to take steps to manage your blood pressure.

If you have high blood pressure, you may be prescribed medicine to help manage it. To make sure you never miss a dose, why not get your repeat prescription delivered to your door? Well’s online prescription delivery service means you no longer have to worry about collecting your repeat prescription from a pharmacy.

You can either download the app or use the service through our website. Tell us which medicines you take, then we send the request to your GP for approval. Once it’s been approved, we ask you to pay for your prescription or provide proof of your exemption. Then our pharmacy team will dispense, check and send your medication in a discreet package.