Living With High Blood Pressure
- 0About this program
- 1Understanding blood pressure
- 2Understanding your diagnosis
- 3Blood pressure medication
- 4What causes high blood pressure?
- 5Just a pinch of salt
- 6Non-alcoholic drinks and your blood pressure
- 7Reducing alcohol and your blood pressure
- 8Being more physically active
- 9Weight loss and high blood pressure
- 10Eating well to lower your blood pressure
- 11Keeping up healthy changes
- 12Changes for life
- 13Being there for you in the long term
- 0About this program
- 1Understanding blood pressure
- 2Understanding your diagnosis
- 3Blood pressure medication
- 4What causes high blood pressure?
- 5Just a pinch of salt
- 6Non-alcoholic drinks and your blood pressure
- 7Reducing alcohol and your blood pressure
- 8Being more physically active
- 9Weight loss and high blood pressure
- 10Eating well to lower your blood pressure
- 11Keeping up healthy changes
- 12Changes for life
- 13Being there for you in the long term
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Blood pressure medication
Get to know blood pressure medication
Not everyone with high blood pressure is prescribed medication, but some people may be to help manage their condition. There are several different medications that can be used to do this. The most common ones are ACE inhibitors and calcium channel blockers (CCBs). Your doctor will choose the one that they believe will be most effective for managing your symptoms and preventing or treating a heart condition.
It is important that you understand:
What your medication is, why you’re taking it and what benefits it should offer
How to take your medication (including the dose, how often you should take a dose and for how long)
Any side effects you should be aware of
If you can take other medications at the same time if needed
Speak to your GP, consultant or practice nurse if you feel you need more information.
Heart medications and what they mean
There are lots of different medicines for different types of heart and circulatory problems. Each one will slightly change the way your heart or circulation works to reduce your symptoms and help your heart work better. We’ve put together a handy guide to possible medications you may be prescribed. It’s always worth learning more about your prescription to understand its job, its side effects and how to handle any issues.
Remember:
Always read the information that comes with your medication.
Keep a list of your medicines, their dosages, and when you should take them.
Don’t stop taking your medicine without talking to your doctor about it.
Check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking any other medicines, even ones you can buy without a prescription like paracetamol, ibuprofen and cough medicines.
Discover the BHF recipe collection
Find hundreds of heart healthy recipes that will help the changes you make taste delicious. You can search by cuisine, preparation time and dietary requirements. We’ve also grouped together recipes that will help specific heart and circulatory conditions like high blood pressure so finding the right recipe couldn’t be easier.
Call our Heart Helpline
Our Heart Helpline has Cardiac Nurses available to answer your questions.
Call us on 0300 330 3311 or email
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.