Heart and circulatory disease, also known as cardiovascular disease (CVD), causes a quarter of all deaths in the UK and is the largest cause of premature mortality in deprived areas. This is the single biggest area where the NHS can save lives over the next 10 years.
Eating too much salt remains a leading cause of raised blood pressure, leading to thousands of heart attacks, strokes and early deaths. Reducing salt in foods by 1 gram/day, for example, could prevent 1,500 premature deaths each year and save the NHS over £140 million.
Early detection and treatment of CVD can help patients live longer, healthier lives.
Patients who have an increased risk or who may have had one previously raised recorded blood pressure are being invited to come along to have the blood pressure checked at our Health Hub.
Should patients need further attention with an elevated BP the PCN team will offer the patient further monitoring and/or where necessary for them to be seen by one of our Clinical Pharmacists who can prescribe anti-hypertensive medication where necessary.
For further information on High Blood pressure (Hypertension) please see the NHS link below:
NHS High Blood Pressure information
A common heart arrythmia caused by a misfiring of the electrical activity to the atria in the heart.
This causes an irregular heartbeat.
Symptoms you may experience
Palpitations, racing or fluttering of the heart.
Chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness or feeling faint, exercise intolerance, or tiredness.
Causes
Increased age, diabetes, high blood pressure, valvular disease, physical or mental stress.
Diagnoses
Your GP will take a history of your symptoms and recommend a referral for tests that may include:
ECG, echocardiogram, chest x-ray and blood tests.
Treatment
AF is usually managed by medication such as beta blockers to control the rate of your heart. In some cases, you may require cardioversion- shocking the heart, ablation to correct the misfiring of the electrical activity or a pacemaker to regulate the heart rate.
Having AF increases your risk of blood clots forming inside the heart which can lead to a stroke. Anticoagulant medication can be used to reduce the risk of this. Positive lifestyle changes such as stop smoking, living an active life and eating a healthy diet will also reduce the overall risk of having a stroke.
If patients need support in trying to lose weight, getting more exercise and/or giving up smoking our Social Prescriber team can help find the right resources and support patients in finding the help they may need to live a healthier lifestyle.
Patients in Andover can self-refer to the Social Prescribing Team by going on the Social Prescribing page and filling in the self-referral form.
Our Pharmacy team can see patients in surgeries who may be newly diagnosed with raised BP, already have a raised blood pressure, diabetes & CVD. Pharmacists undertake patient medication reviews and Long Term Condition checks; by offering longer 20-30 minute appointments patients have that little extra time to feel supported living with their conditions.
The NHS website. Take control of your health and wellbeing. Get medical advice, information about healthcare services and support for a healthy life.
