Dubbed as the “silent killer,” hypertension or high blood pressure is a growing health issue in Canada. Almost a quarter of Canadian adults are living with the condition which is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, kidney failure and death.1
As part of World Hypertension Day on May 17th, 2017, London Drugs is joining Hypertension Canada – Canada’s national non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention and control of hypertension, and blood pressure monitoring BIOS Diagnostics to remind Canadians that a simple blood pressure check could be lifesaving.
“By working together with all health care professionals, including pharmacists, we have an important opportunity to advance control rates and ensure all Canadians avoid the potentially devastating complications of hypertension,” says Dr. Nadia Khan, President, Hypertension Canada. “Almost 2 million Canadians have uncontrolled blood pressure and many don’t even know it.”
To help encourage Canadians to get blood-pressure checked, London Drugs is encouraging the public to take advantage of free blood pressure checks and consultations with pharmacists in Vancouver (525 West Broadway), Calgary (8120 Beddington Blvd NW), and St. Albert (375 St. Albert Trail) on World Hypertension Day.
During the screenings, London Drugs’ pharmacists will check patient blood pressure, discuss the results and assess risk factors such as family history, age, level of exercise and diet. Pharmacists will also discuss ways to minimize risk factors. This might include a discussion of changes to diet, fitness or lifestyle. The consultation is collaborative and customized for each patient and pharmacists can contact physicians to recommend further medical intervention or changes to medication.
Pharmacists are now the most accessible primary healthcare providers in Canada2 and pharmacist-led blood pressure interventions are ideal to assist patients with ongoing hypertension management.
“It is almost always preventable and treatable with simple steps but can have very few symptoms. Taking control starts with a simple action — getting your blood pressure checked,” says Nancy Zhou, Patient Care Pharmacist at London Drugs.
A recent study revealed that comprehensive long-term pharmacist care for Canadians with hypertension, including patient education and prescribing, improves health outcomes for patients significantly.3 In fact, it is estimated that for every five people receiving pharmacist intervention, one cardiovascular event (stroke, myocardial infarction (MIs), angina and heart failure) would be avoided and four years of life would be saved.4
[1] Canadian Pharmacy Association, Benefits of pharmacist care in hypertension in Canada, https://www.pharmacists.ca/cpha-ca/assets/File/cpha-on-the-issues/Benefits_of_Pharmacist_Care_in_Hypertension_EN.pdf
[2] Canadian Pharmacy Association, PHARMACY IN CANADA, http://www.pharmacists.ca/cpha-ca/assets/File/pharmacy-in-canada/Pharmacy%20in%20Canada.pdf
[3] Canadian Pharmacy Association, Benefits of pharmacist care in hypertension in Canada, https://www.pharmacists.ca/cpha-ca/assets/File/cpha-on-the-issues/Benefits_of_Pharmacist_Care_in_Hypertension_EN.pdf
[4] Canadian Pharmacy Association, Benefits of pharmacist care in hypertension in Canada, https://www.pharmacists.ca/cpha-ca/assets/File/cpha-on-the-issues/Benefits_of_Pharmacist_Care_in_Hypertension_EN.pdf
