In the wake of World Hypertension Day in May, Blooms the Chemist is urging residents to have their blood pressure checked regularly.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading chronic health conditions in Australia, responsible for the hospitalisation of more than 600,000 people each year.
High blood pressure is a common condition that affects an estimated 1.28 billion adults aged 30-79 worldwide.
But an estimated 46 per cent of adults are unaware they suffer from the condition and only one in five adults with hypertension have their blood pressure controlled.
The year’s theme for World Hypertension Day was Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It and Live Longer, with a focus on combatting low awareness rates, particularly in low to middle-income areas, and greater education on accurate blood pressure measurement methods.
Pharmacist Luke Owen of Blooms The Chemist at Erina Fair says untreated hypertension can lead to complications such as heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure.
“The complications that come from hypertension are what we are most concerned about,” he said.
“It is a silent condition, with many not recognising they have it until they experience symptoms such as a really high throbbing in the head.”
Owen said a range of things could cause the condition, including advancing age.
“Controllable factors include diet, salt intake, a sedentary lifestyle and stress,” he said.
“The test for hypertension is very simple and can be done at any pharmacy.
“You can even buy a test and do it at home.
“We would suggest a series of tests to establish if there is a trend and advise testing once each year.
“If diagnosed, we would probably suggest a three-month trial of lifestyle changes.
“These might include introducing a morning walk, looking at the sodium content in foods, using less table salt and mindfulness recommendations.
“If these don’t curb it, there is a range of medications which work on body systems to influence high blood pressure.”
Blooms The Chemist Pharmacist-owner Andria Aird is passionate about addressing misconceptions that high blood pressure rarely affects women, who represent nearly half of all adults suffering the condition.
“Unfortunately, many of the common symptoms experienced by women who may have hypertension are dismissed as something less concerning, such as assuming it’s a side effect of hormonal imbalances during pregnancy, menopause and post-menopause,” she said.
“Left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to a range of serious health complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, eye damage and pregnancy complications.
“Unfortunately, people are often unaware of what a normal blood pressure reading is, which in most adults should be between 120/80 and 140/90 mmHg.
“If a reading is out of this range, we can provide timely advice on changes in lifestyle habits and discuss current medication that may be causing high blood pressure.
“However, if we have concerns, we will recommend to a patient that they visit their GP.”
Terry Collins