What is hypertension?

Hypertension is high blood pressure in your arteries. It is recorded as two numbers, e.g. 120/80. The top number (systolic) is the pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts. The bottom number (diastolic) is the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between each heartbeat. A reading of 150/90 mmHg or above indicates high blood pressure.

A lot of patients ignore their blood pressure as high blood pressure itself has no symptoms. It is however a major risk factor for serious health problems like heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure.

In general, the higher your blood pressure, the greater the health risk. But, high blood pressure is just one of several possible risk factors for developing a cardiovascular disease. Other risk factors include smoking, alcohol, high cholesterol, diabetes, age, being male, family history, sedentary lifestyle, ethnic origin and obesity, among others.

Apart from taking your prescribed medication, it is important to make changes to your lifestyle where required, e.g.: lose weight, stop smoking, exercise, eat a healthy diet, reduce salt and caffeine, limit alcohol intake.

Novel Practice Hypertension Service

We have introduced a practice hypertension service focusing on preventing complications and achieving the best possible care for our patients.

Given that the GHS does not currently offer a recall system, we wanted to innovate and create a system whereby we will be informing our patients about what check-ups they need to have every year (see table below).

You will be called to see the nurse for an annual review. Make sure to have your blood tests and urine test before coming to see the nurse.

Please inform your personal doctor to order your blood and urine test and then visit a laboratory of your choice to have your tests done.

It is also useful to record your blood pressure at home if you have a machine, as it may be more indicative of your real blood pressure, due to White Coat Hypertension (the stress of being in clinic).

It is paramount that patients with hypertension have a yearly check up to review their blood pressure level throughout the year (at least every 3 months) and other risk factors.

Annual Review Appointments

Your very first review appointment needs to be booked directly by you.

Following review by the nurse and doctor, an appropriate follow-up will be offered.