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24 hour Blood Pressure monitoring - it could save your life....... find out how.......here

Posted by Eamonn Brady on

High Blood Pressure is a silent killer

How 24 Hour Blood Pressure Monitoring could save your life

 

High blood pressure is one of the most important preventable causes of premature ill health and death in the Ireland. It is a major risk factor for stroke, heart attack, heart failure, chronic kidney disease and cognitive decline (dementia).

 

If you have been diagnosed or suspected of having high blood pressure, a 24-hour blood pressure monitor is the most reliable tool to check the accuracy of the diagnosis and in many cases, prevent you having to take blood pressure medication due to the high error rate of once off blood pressure checks.

 

Ideal Blood Pressure level

All adults should have their blood pressure measured routinely every 5 years. Optimal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mmHG. A reading of 130/85 mmHG is classified as normal. A reading of greater the 140/90 mmHG is considered high while a reading of greater than 180/110 is classified as severe hypertension. Patients with severe hypertension should be referred to a cardiac consultant as cardiovascular risk is high. An adult with a reading of above 140/90 mmHG should return to their GP annually if treatment is not recommended initially.

 

Why get a 24 hour blood pressure check?

A 24 hour blood pressure monitor provides a more accurate measure of blood pressure than a single measurement. It shows how your blood pressure changes throughout the day and more importantly at night. It helps your doctor and pharmacist ensure your blood pressure is under control. If you are already taking blood pressure medication, our 24 blood pressure monitor will show if you are getting the full benefit of the blood pressure medication you must take.

 

Internationally recognised best practice for diagnosis of high Blood Pressure

The respected health advisory body, the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the UK recommends that a diagnosis of primary hypertension (high blood pressure) should be confirmed using 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), rather than be based solely on measurements of blood pressure taken in the clinic. The recommendation draws on substantial evidence, including that published in the Lancet (Journal of Medicine) in August 2012, recommending that ABPM 24 Hour monitoring is more accurate than both clinic and home monitoring in defining the presence of hypertension. NICE recommends that patients should not be diagnosed with high blood pressure or prescribed blood pressure medication until this 24-hour monitor is performed.

 

White Coat Syndrome

“White coat Syndrome” or “White coat Hypertension” is a phenomenon in which patients exhibit high blood pressure in a clinical or medical setting but not in other settings. It is believed that this is due to the anxiety some people experience during a clinic or medical type visit. It is recognised that up to 30% of people suffer from this phenomenon leading to misdiagnosis of high blood pressure in some cases. To prevent this problem, 24 hour ABPM blood pressure monitoring is seen as the most accurate tool to check and diagnose high blood pressure

 

Where to get a 24 blood pressure monitor fitted

Most GP surgeries offer the 24-hour blood pressure monitoring service. Whelehans Pharmacy, Pearse St Mullingar can fit you with a 24-hour blood pressure based on ABPM technology which you can now wear while undertaking normal daily activities. You can book the service by calling 04493 34591. It costs €60. We take all safety precautions to keep you safe from COVID 19.

 

For comprehensive and free health advice and information call in to Whelehans, log on to www.whelehans.ie or dial 04493 34591 (Pearse St) or 04493 10266 (Clonmore). Find us on Facebook.

 


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