Your Pharmacy and how they can help improve your Cardiovascular Health There are a variety of ways you can gain support from your local pharmacy or from a pharmacy close by. As qualified healthcare professionals, they can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy trouble and aches and pains. If symptoms suggest it’s something more serious, pharmacists have the right training to make sure you get the help you need. For example they will tell you if you need to see a GP, nurse or other healthcare professional. All pharmacists train for 5 years in the use of medicines. They are also trained in managing minor illnesses and providing health and wellbeing advice. Hypertension is the main risk factor for stroke and a major risk factor for heart attack, heart failure and kidney disease. People with hypertension are three times more likely to develop heart disease and stroke, and twice as likely to die from these as people with a normal blood pressure. Cardiovascular Health Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of premature death in England Affects 7 million people and accounts for 1.6 million disability adjusted life years Hypertension is the biggest risk factor for CVD Top five risk factors for all premature death and disability in England 5.5 million people have undiagnosed hypertension in England CVD is a key driver of health inequalities and accounts for around 25% of the life expectance gap 19 Northwest Merton PCN: The Green Pages
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