We have great news for all our patients!
As part of our continuing commitment to not just your dental health but to your general health too we are now offering free blood pressure checks to all of our adult patients when you attend for an oral health review.
Why?
Up to one in three adults in the UK has high blood pressure and 5 million people are currently undiagnosed according to the British Heart Foundation.
If it is left untreated it can lead to heart problems, strokes and kidney and eye damage.
“I feel ok though…”
In most people there are no early symptoms of high blood pressure, you feel fine. The only way to know that you have it is to get yourself tested.
What is my blood pressure?
It is the force it takes your heart to pump blood around your body. It changes through the day and can be affected by lots of things like meals, excitement, smoking, anxiety and even temperature.
What do the readings mean?
You will get two readings when your blood pressure is checked;
Systolic pressure and diastolic pressure. A ‘normal’ blood pressure reading is around 120/80mmHg.
The systolic pressure is when the pressure is at the highest- when the heart beats to pump the blood around the arteries.
The diastolic pressure is when the heart has relaxed between beats so will be a lower reading.
So what’s high blood pressure?
Exactly that! When the blood pressure is higher than normal for a sustained period, by high we would normally mean a systolic reading of around 140 or higher and diastolic of 90 or higher.
How can it be treated?
Usually by making some lifestyle changes such as exercising and losing weight, tablets may also be recommended in addition to this (not instead of!)
If you are worried about your blood pressure r have any questions, please contact your doctor immediately.
