Hypertension care – caring for a loved one with hypertension at home

How best to manage hypertension at home 

There are lots of small changes you can make to daily life to manage high blood pressure at home. However, change can be tricky, and if you’re supporting a loved one it’s important not to overwhelm them with too many instructions or requests all at once. Instead, perhaps look for areas where you can make smaller changes – such as walking to the local shop for the daily paper rather than taking the car, or choosing not to put the salt shaker out on the table at meal times – before gradually introducing more. 

Reduce salt intake 

If we eat too much salt (sodium)water can be pulled back into our bloodstream, and more water in our blood vessels means more vascular pressure. While it can be a fairly minimal change to cut down on salt when cooking, according to the British Heart Foundation, 75 percent of the salt we eat is added before before we even bring it home from the supermarkets, so it’s really important to check food labels thoroughly. 

Some foods may contain more salt than expected too. For example cheese, condiments and sauces, and some bread can all increase our sodium intake. 

Maintain a healthy diet

Salt isn’t the only thing to be mindful of when choosing what to eat. A well-balanced diet can support better heart health. While lots of websites and healthy eating books may outline the benefits of specific vitamins and minerals, a diet rich in heart-healthy foods is often easiest when you think about your diet as a whole and eating the right amount of food to give your body what it needs. 

This is why the NHS and British Heart Foundation recommend using the EatWell plate as a guide when making healthy choices. It can help you understand the right balance of protein (e.g beans, meat, fish), starchy carbohydrates (e.g potatoes, rice, pasta), dairy (e.g eggs, milk) and fruit and vegetables. 

Reduce alcohol intake 

Alcohol can be a big risk factor for many chronic conditions, and doctors have made a clear link between alcohol and hypertension. The UK Chief Medical Officers state that no adult should drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week. 

Get active

The British Heart foundation recommends doing some form of moderate exercise everyday, In 10+ minute bouts, for a total of around 150 minutes a week. Moderate exercise may include something like aerobic exercise, brisk walking or swimming. 

if you or your loved one is less mobile, don’t worry, there are other ways to get active. 

Exercise doesn’t have to mean anything too straining. You can increase your activity levels simply by walking, or through seated exercises – the important thing is to get the body moving. Even daily tasks like shopping, dusting, or sweeping the floor can all count as physical activity. 

Combined with a healthy diet, regular exercise can help us maintain a healthy weight – which can also help keep blood pressure at a normal or safe level. 

Regular blood pressure monitoring 

You may be advised by your GP or healthcare professional to check your blood pressure at home with an at home machine. 

Choosing a reliable blood pressure monitor is key. If your doctor doesn’t provide one,   The British Heart Foundation has a lot of different options available and can be a good place to start your search. Your blood pressure machine should be approved for use in the UK, and it’s recommended to get it serviced every two years. 

Taking your blood pressure needs to be done under the right conditions for an accurate reading. If you’re stressed, slouching, or talking this could effect the reading. 

You may find it helpful to record your blood pressure readings in a notebook, along with the date, to make it easy to keep track.

If you are instead getting your blood pressure checked by a professional, Set reminders for when this is due and arrange travel to the GP or pharmacy ahead of time. 

Ensure medication is taken properly

if you or a loved one is taking blood pressure medication, it’s likely this medicine will need to be taken for the rest of your life. Remembering to take this medication at the right time of day, at the right dose, consistently is really key. You may wish to use a dosette box to organise your medication – some also feature alerts to remind you when it’s time to take it. 

Plus setting up a repeat prescription at your local pharmacy (ask your GP about repeat dispensing), or arranging a delivery of it to your home is often a good idea too, so you can ensure you never run low. 

Give up smoking

Nicotine temporarily increases the heart rate, which then raises blood pressure. It can also cause the arteries to tighten and so it is crucial to quit, or encourage loved ones to give up. The NHS offers lots of smoke free resources and guidance. They may also be able to provide certain treatments for quitting more affordable. 

Manage stress

Keeping stress levels low can help maintain a healthy blood pressure level. Relaxation techniques can help with this or even a hobby such as painting or completing puzzles.