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 early deaths in deprived areas. Heart and circulatory disease is the biggest area where people and the NHS can save lives over the next 10 years.
Prevention
By making healthy lifestyle choices or changes, CVD is largely preventable. PCN can support people with reducing smoking and tobacco addiction, support with weight management and diet, access to exercise and help with reducing alcohol intake.
Early detection and treatment of CVD can help patients live longer, healthier lives. Follow this link for more advice on protecting your heart.
What are Andover PCN and Andover Practices doing to help patients who are either at risk of developing CVD or who are diagnosed with CVD.
Drop in Blood Pressure Checks at our Health Hub in the Chantry Centre
Patients who are concerned about their blood pressure, have an increased risk, or who may have had one previously raised recorded blood pressure can drop in and have their blood pressure taken or when invited to have your blood pressure checked you can opt to use the Health Hub if more convenient.
Should anyone need further support with their blood pressure the PCN team will offer further monitoring and if necessary an appointment with one of our Clinical Pharmacists who can prescribe medication where necessary.
For further information on High Blood pressure (Hypertension) please see the NHS link below:
What is Atrial Fibrilation
A common heart condition caused by a misfiring of the electrical activity in the heart causing an irregular heart beat.
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, disease of the heart valves, physical or mental stress.
Diagnoses
Your healthcare staff will listen to the story of your symptoms and may recommend tests that include:
Electrocardiography (ECG), echocardiogram, chest x-ray and blood tests.
Treatment
AF is usually managed by medication to control the rate of your heart. In some cases, you may require specialist treatment that is completed by hospital heart specialist (Cardiologists) this may include 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. Blood thinning (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.
Social Prescriber Team
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.
Pharmacy Team
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.
