Do I Need To Use A Blood Pressure Checker
You may not need a blood pressure checker for every reading, but it will help manage blood pressure health. As you become familiar with your readings, using a blood pressure checker will advise how to improve and maintain healthy blood pressure.
The blood pressure calculator can be accessed via desktop, tablet or mobile.
If you have questions about taking blood pressure or using the blood pressure checker, contact us. If you are concerned about your reading after using this blood pressure calculator or any other blood pressure checker, seek medical advice.
Free Blood Pressure Check And Free Skin Cancer Screening Favorite Taglines
While every one of us must do these screenings regularly, we are only referring in this article to the illegal actions that scammers use. Powerful taglines such as you should get your free skin cancer screening or it doesnt hurt to get a free blood pressure check convince everyone, so thats how they get you to visit.
Lets continue.
After launching the campaign, these companies set up shop even in malls and start receiving clients for free health screening or blood pressure checks. Lets say you are one of them. You show up, and the representative requests that you fill out a sign-in sheet. The typical procedure, they might say. You believe it since you do that every time you go to a doctor, right? Well, you are not at the doctors office.
This sign-in sheet asks for the same information, such as your name, your Medicare, and even your Social Security number! What do they need that for? We will see in a second, but here is more.
Alternatively, the reps claim that your health plan covers the cost and send you the results. Here is where more people fall for the scam. All you need to do is provide your ID and plan information. More personal data!
Blood Pressure Testing Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get my blood pressure checked?
You can have your blood pressure checked at any LloydsPharmacy. No appointment is usually needed; just call in and ask one of our pharmacy team of if you’d like you can book in advance with ourbooking form.
How long will it take?
The check-up will only take 15 minutes, but our;pharmacy team will take as long as required to answer any questions you have.
Does this check-up cost anything?
Yes, this particular service costs £7.50** which will be taken in store at the time of your appointment.
What do I do next?
Visit your local LloydsPharmacy and ask for your check-up, or;book your appointment in advance with ourbooking form.
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Where can I get my blood pressure checked?
You can have your blood pressure checked at any LloydsPharmacy. No appointment is usually needed; just call in and ask one of our pharmacy team of if you’d like you can book in advance with ourbooking form.
-
How long will it take?
The check-up will only take 15 minutes, but our;pharmacy team will take as long as required to answer any questions you have.
-
Does this check-up cost anything?
Yes, this particular service costs £7.50** which will be taken in store at the time of your appointment.
-
What do I do next?
Visit your local LloydsPharmacy and ask for your check-up, or;book your appointment in advance with ourbooking form.
References
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Here Are Some Tips For Taking An Accurate Vital Sign Reading At Home:
- Rest for five minutes before taking a vital sign measurement
- Avoid drinking caffeine or alcohol, smoking or exercising within a half-hour before measuring your vital sign
- Sit quietly during a chair together with your back straight and supported. Your feet should be flat on the floor- dont cross them.
- Your arm should be at the bottom level, supported on a flat surface
- Make sure the cuff fits properly. A cuff thats too small or overlarge will provides a falsely high or low vital sign reading.
- Dont take the measurement over clothes
- Measure at the same time every day
- Take multiple readings
What Puts Me At Higher Risk For High Blood Pressure
Your risk for high blood pressure goes up as you get older. Youre also at increased risk for high blood pressure if you:
- Are African American
- Are overweight or have obesity
- Dont get enough physical activity
- Drink too much alcohol
- Dont eat a healthy diet
- Have kidney failure, diabetes, or some types of heart disease
Learn more about;your risk for high blood pressure.
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How Blood Pressure Is Tested
A;device called a sphygmomanometer will be used to measure your blood pressure.
This usually consists of a stethoscope, arm cuff, pump and dial, although automatic devices that;use sensors and have a digital display are also commonly used nowadays.
It’s best to sit down with your back supported and legs uncrossed for the test. You’ll usually need to roll up your sleeves or remove any long-sleeved clothing, so the cuff can be placed around your upper arm. Try to relax and avoid talking while the test is carried out.
During the test:
- you hold out one of your arms so it’s at the same level as your heart, and the cuff is placed around it your arm should be supported in this position, such as with a cushion or arm of a chair
- the cuff is pumped up to restrict the blood flow in your arm; this squeezing may feel a bit uncomfortable, but only lasts a few seconds
- the pressure in the cuff;is;slowly released;while;a;stethoscope is used to listen to;your;pulse
- the pressure in the cuff is recorded at 2 points as the blood flow starts to return to your arm these measurements are used to give your blood pressure reading
You can usually find out your result straight away, either from the healthcare professional carrying out the test;or on;the digital display.
British Columbia Specific Information
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, can damage your blood vessels, heart and kidneys. This damage can cause a heart attack, stroke or other health problems. Your blood pressure reading is based on two measurements called systolic and diastolic. The systolic and diastolic are written as a ratio, for example . A reading of more than 140/90 mmHg taken at your healthcare providers office may indicate high blood pressure. This figure is different for people with diabetes whose blood pressure should be below 130/80 mmHg. People suffering from other illnesses will have different target normal values. For more information on hypertension, visit the Heart & Stroke Foundation and Hypertension Canada.
Healthy lifestyle choices can help lower your blood pressure and improve your health. For information on healthy eating for lowering your blood pressure, see:
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Why Is Monitoring Blood Pressure Important
High blood pressure causes silent damage to the blood vessels and the heart. If untreated this damage progresses over time and may result in stroke or heart attack.
These serious events occur at a younger age in people with high blood pressure than in people with normal blood pressure. High blood pressure also increases the risk of damage to the blood vessels in your kidneys and eyes.
A number of our pharmacies also offer a 24 hour blood pressure monitor service. This form of screening is more accurate than standard blood pressure tests as it monitors your blood pressure at intervals for 24 hours. Doctors will often recommend 24 hour blood pressure monitoring before deciding if you need medication to lower your blood pressure or whether your medication needs to be changed.
Every September Hundreds Of Pressure Stations Across The Uk Offer Free Blood Pressure Checks In The Community
Here, you can;find your nearest free blood pressure check;by entering your post code or town in the map search box.
Want a check sooner or don’t have a Pressure Station near by? See where you can get a blood pressure check;throughout the year.;
Due to social distancing measures we wont be able to offer pressure checks in community Pressure Stations in our 2021 campaign, but we will still encourage the whole of the UK to Know Their Numbers!
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How To Take Your Blood Pressure
You can take your blood pressure at home using a blood pressure monitor and use the blood pressure calculator as guidance on what your reading means. Ensure the monitor has been clinically validated. Find a list of blood pressure monitors available for home use on the British and Irish Hypertension Society website.
- Sit quietly and comfortably on a chair with legs uncrossed and feet flat on the ground with an even surface in front of you.
- Place your arm on the surface in front of you so that it is supported level with your heart. Remove tight clothing and wrap the cuff around your upper arm.
- Activate the blood pressure monitor, the cuff will inflate to restrict the blood flow in your arm is it gauges your blood pressure. This will last for a short time.
- As the cuff deflates, your reading is displayed on the monitor. Enter the two numbers into the blood pressure checker to determine the health of your reading.
Why You Might Want To Get Blood Pressure Checked Before You Go Home
Labile blood flow can make you feel sick.
Thats why you should have a blood pressure meter to help you monitor your blood pressure during pregnancy and postpartum.
If your blood flow drops too low, you might also notice some changes in your health.
Its normal for the blood pressure to increase.
If youre worried about a drop in your blood rate, or you have any other symptoms, you should see a doctor.
There are a number of blood pressure monitoring products available on the market today, including some that can monitor your pulse, blood pressure and other key health metrics.
A blood pressure test will be a quick and simple way to monitor your health before you return home and can give you a better idea of whats going on with your health at home.
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What Is Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries every time your heart beats. Your blood pressure is highest when your heart contracts, pumping the blood through your arteries. This is called systolic pressure. Your blood pressure is lowest when your heart is at rest, between beats. This is diastolic pressure.
Your blood pressure reading uses these two numbers, the systolic and diastolic pressures. Usually they are written one above or before the other:
- 119 /79 or lower = normal blood pressure
- 120-139 for the top number, or 80-89 for the bottom number = pre-hypertension
- 140/90 or higher = high blood pressure
High blood pressure usually has no symptoms, except occasional headaches. It can cause serious problems such as stroke, heart failure, heart attack and kidney failure. You can control high blood pressure through healthy lifestyle habits and medication, if needed. A diagnosis of hypertension can only be made after a number of high blood pressure readings.
When Should You Get Help For An Abnormal Blood Pressure Reading
One high or low blood pressure reading by itself may not mean you need to call for help. If you take your blood pressure and it is out of the normal range, wait a few minutes and take it again. If it’s still high or low, use the following guidance.
911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- You passed out .
or seek immediate medical care if:
- Your blood pressure is much higher than normal .
- You think high blood pressure is causing symptoms such as:
- Severe headache.
- Your blood pressure is 140/90 or higher on two or more occasions.
- Your blood pressure is usually normal and well controlled, but it goes above the normal range on more than one occasion.
- Your blood pressure is lower than usual and you are dizzy or light-headed.
- You think you may be having side effects from your blood pressure medicine.
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What Is Blood Pressure And How Is It Recorded
Blood pressure measures the force your heart uses to pump blood to the various parts of your body.
Its recorded using two numbers – systolic pressure and diastolic pressure .
In short, the systolic pressure is the rate at which your heart pumps blood around your body, while diastolic pressure tracks resistance to blood flow in your blood vessels.
What Affects The Test
It is normal for blood pressure to go up and down from day to day and even from moment to moment. Stress, smoking, eating, exercise, cold, pain, noise, medicines, and even talking can affect it.
One high reading does not mean you have high blood pressure. And one normal reading may not mean you do not have high blood pressure. It is more accurate to take the average of several readings made throughout the day than to rely on a single reading.
Some people have high blood pressure only when they go to their doctor’s office. This is called white-coat hypertension. It may be caused by stress about seeing your doctor. There are also people who appear to have normal blood pressure when measured in the doctors office, but they have high blood pressure in other situations. This is called masked hypertension. When you regularly check your blood pressure at home, you may find that your blood pressure is lower when you are not at the doctor’s office. A home blood pressure reading of systolic 135 or more and diastolic 85 or more means high blood pressure .
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A Blood Pressure Reading Gives Two Numbers
The top systolic reading gives the pressure of your blood on your arteries at it travels around your body.
The bottom diastolic reading is the lowest pressure on your arteries when your heart rests between beats.
Enter these numbers into the blood pressure calculator and Submit. The blood pressure calculator will instantly summarise your reading and give recommendations.
Record readings entered into the blood pressure checker to monitor changes and seek medical advice if you are concerned about any results using the blood pressure calculator.
Smoking Physical Activity Diet
If you smoke, talk to your healthcare provider at your next healthcare visit about approaches to help quit. Also discuss your diet and physical activity habits. If theres room for improvement in your diet;and daily physical activity;levels, ask;your healthcare provider to provide helpful suggestions.
| Recommended Screenings |
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Lloydsdirect By Lloydspharmacy Can Help With Your Nhs Repeat Prescriptions
If you are prescribed repeat medication, LloydsDirect by LloydsPharmacy can help to manage your prescriptions online by ordering them directly with your GP on your behalf. With simple online and in-app ordering your medication will be available when you need it, benefit from free delivery and free reminders when to re-order your medication. We can deliver to a UK address of your choice your home, work, a carer or neighbour for free.
The Risks Of Getting Heart Disease
There are a number of factors that increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. The good news is that you can change many of these to improve your health.
Risk factors that you can change:
- Being overweight
Risk factors that you cannot change:
- Age
- Ethnicity
- Gender
- Having a family history of heart attack or stroke
Many of the above risk factors show no warning symptoms. This means that most people cant tell that their blood pressure, cholesterol or blood sugar are high without a check by a healthcare professional like your Unichem Pharmacist.
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What Is Blood Pressure Screening & Counseling
Blood pressure screening & counseling is a service designed to screen patients who may be at risk for hypertension and other heart health conditions. During this visit, the healthcare provider will record the patient’s age, height, weight and waist circumference, as well as medical, family, and social history information. After this, the provider will take the patient’s blood pressure using an arm cuff and a blood test will be performed by obtaining a small blood sample from the patient’s finger in order to screen for other heart health conditions.
Based on the results, a healthcare provider will counsel the patient on their risk factors and recommend lifestyle changes to help the patient lead a healthier life. Further testing and evaluation may be required.
Before Checking Your Blood Pressure
- Find a quiet place to check your blood pressure. You will need to listen for your heartbeat.
- Make sure that you are comfortable and relaxed with a recently emptied bladder .
- Roll up the sleeve on your arm or remove any tight-sleeved clothing.
- Rest in a chair next to a table for 5 to 10 minutes. Your arm should rest comfortably at heart level. Sit up straight with your back against the chair, legs uncrossed. Rest your forearm on the table with the palm of your hand facing up.
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How To Get A Free Blood Pressure Monitor
Public blood pressure machines, such as those found in pharmacies, may provide helpful information about your blood pressure, but they can have limitations too. The accuracy of these machines depends on several factors, such as the correct cuff size and proper use of the machines. Ask your doctor for advice on using public blood pressure machines. You think about how to get a free blood pressure monitor!
The blood pressure cuffs on some public blood pressure machines may be too small or too large to get an accurate reading on some people with high blood pressure. Having a properly fitting cuff is important because poorly fitting cuffs dont give accurate blood pressure measurements, which could lead you to think your blood pressure is fine when its not. An additional concern is that these devices arent standardized, which makes it hard to know how accurate they are.