HealthInfo Aoraki-South Canterbury
Self-care for high blood pressure
There are many things you can do if you have high blood pressure.
What can I do?
- Have regular check-ups with your GP. If you've done a Heart risk assessment and are found to have a high risk, you should have a yearly health check. If you're taking medication to lower your blood pressure, you may need to visit your GP more often.
- Stop smoking.
- Find ways of increasing the amount of physical activity that you do every day.
- Eat well and maintain a healthy weight. The DASH diet (short for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) is a balanced eating plan that lowers blood pressure. It's low in salt (sodium), saturated fat, cholesterol and total fat. It includes fruit, vegetables and fat-free or low-fat milk products. It also includes wholegrain products, fish, chicken, legumes (cooked dried beans, peas and lentils) and nuts. The Heart Foundation's Healthy Heart Food Guide follows the same principles as the DASH diet.
- Reduce your salt intake.
- Cut down the amount of alcohol you drink.
- Talk to your GP about blood pressure lowering medication. There are a number of choices, with various risks and benefits, and some people may need to take a combination of medication.
Important
If you take an ACE inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) (for example, cilazapril, enalapril, quinapril, losartan or candesartan) and a diuretic (for example, furosemide or bendroflumethiazide), taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) (for example ibuprofen or aspirin in high doses) could harm your kidneys. The term for this is "triple whammy". Read The Triple Whammy – Safe use of NSAIDs for more details. Check with your doctor, practice nurse or pharmacist if you aren't sure whether you're taking an ACE inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) and a diuretic.
Who can help?
The following people and organisations may be involved in your (or a family member's or friend's) healthcare.
GP
For general practices currently taking new patients, phone Primary and Community Services on (03) 687‑2307.
To find the contact details and fee schedule for a general practice see South Canterbury DHB – Finding a GP.
Private cardiologist
Find a private heart specialist or cardiologist using:
General Medicine Department –Timaru Hospital
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed April 2018.
Review key: HIHBP-25277
