CH Chemists

Blood Pressure Check

Initial check free of charge. If you required your blood pressure to be checked regularly by us, a small fee may apply.

What is Blood Pressure?

Two numbers measure your level of blood pressure.
The top number records blood pressure when the pressure is at its highest as your heart muscle squeezes out the blood from your heart - this is called systolic pressure.
Then your heart relaxes, which allows the blood to flow back into your heart - this is called diastolic pressure. The normal level of blood pressure is usually about 120 (systolic) over 80 (diastolic).
This would be recorded as 120/80. The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to get it measured.
Most people with high blood pressure may feel fine and not notice any symptoms.

What does your result mean?

To understand what your blood pressure result means for you, it important to understand that blood pressure is one of a number of factors which affect your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

Other Risk Factors

Your blood pressure should always be viewed in combination with your other risk factors. Other important risk factors include:

Smoking
Being overweight
Raised cholesterol
Diabetes
Family history of heart disease

Do you need to see a Doctor?

Based on your blood pressure result, you may be recommended to visit a Doctor within a specific time. General referral guidelines are designed for patients with no symptoms or underlying conditions.

If you are suffering from symptoms such as dizziness, blurred vision, palpitations or shortness of breath you should seek immediate evaluation by your GP. Remember that high blood pressure is just one risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

If you consider yourself to be high risk you should seek your GP’s advice.

If you are currently taking prescribed medication to treat high blood pressure, do not discontinue or change the dosage of these medicines based on the results. Similarly, do not disregard any advice given by your Doctor.

Lifestyle Changes

If you smoke, stop smoking

Patients with high blood pressure who smoke are 3-4 times more likely to have a heart attack compared to non-smokers. You can get advice on quitting from our pharmacists or you can phone the National Smokers Quitline at 1850 201 203.

Be a healthy weight

Keep your weight at a level that is right for your height and build

Be more physically active

Long-term regular physical activity can lower your blood pressure and help to control your weight

Food and drink

Improve your diet, reduce your salt intake, and drink less alcohol

Relax

Stress will cause a short-term rise in your blood pressure.

The benefits quitting of smoking start straight away

Your Pharmacist will explain the negative effects of smoking and the benefits of giving up smoking. They will help you choose the most suitable products for you to use as part of your quit programme.

The good news is that once you quit smoking, your body experiences a series of beneficial health changes that begin immediately and continue for years:

Within 20 minutes of quitting, your blood pressure and pulse rate return to normal. Circulation improves in the hands and feet, making them warmer
After 8 hours, oxygen levels in the blood return to normal. Your chances of a heart attack start to fall
Within 24 hours, carbon monoxide is cleared from your body and after 48 hours, your sense of taste and smell begin to improve
After 72 hours, breathing will become easier and your energy levels will increase
After 1 year, your risk of a heart attack reduces by 50%
After 10 years, your risk of lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker and your risk of a heart attack falls to about the same as someone who has never smoked