Smoking

Smoking increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.⁷ While smoking rates are declining, 19.3 per cent of men over 18 and 15.3 per cent of women over 18 smoked in the UK in 2015.⁸ Customers who smoke may experience negative impacts on their health, such as raised blood pressure, and would benefit from quitting. The pharmacy team can aid this process through discussing the various NRT options available.

Alcohol

Reducing alcohol intake to recommended levels of up to 14 units per week for both men and women helps to reduce blood pressure levels and reduces the risk of hypertension. You should help patients to understand how many units are in different drinks so they can limit their alcohol intake.

Exercise

We should all do at least five 30-minute sessions per week of a moderate intensity. Hypertension patients should engage in activities that make the heart beat faster, but still allow them to continue a conversation. A daily one-mile walk is a good example. Patients with blood pressure levels over 180/100 should speak to their doctor or nurse before starting any new exercise.⁹