Blood Pressure Checks and Heart Care in Point Cook

Understanding your numbers

A reading such as 120/80 has two parts. The top number (systolic) is the pressure as your heart pumps; the bottom number (diastolic) is the pressure as it relaxes between beats. Blood pressure is considered high when readings are consistently 140/90 or above, whether one number or both is raised.

How often to have a blood pressure check in Point Cook

Adults should have their blood pressure checked at least every two years. Your GP may suggest more frequent checks if:

• a past reading was raised
• you have diabetes or kidney disease
• you already take blood pressure medicine
• heart disease or stroke runs in your family

Confirming a high reading

Some people have higher readings at the clinic than at home, often called white-coat hypertension. Before diagnosing, your GP may ask you to:

• keep a home blood pressure diary
• wear a monitor for 24 hours
• have blood tests, an ECG or a kidney ultrasound

Any blood tests can be collected at the onsite pathology centre before your review.

Treatment and follow-up

Mild high blood pressure can often improve with regular activity, less salt, quitting smoking, losing weight if needed and drinking less alcohol. Some people also need medicine, sometimes more than one kind. Medicines work best when reviewed regularly, so keep your follow-up appointments. A GP chronic condition plan, explained on our chronic disease management page, can include visits to a dietitian or exercise physiologist.

Heart Health Checks and heart disease

The Heart Foundation recommends a Heart Health Check for people without heart disease who are 45 or over, 35 or over with diabetes, or 30 or over for First Nations people. It estimates your chance of a heart attack or stroke in the next five years. Our Heart Health Check page explains the appointment. If you already have heart disease, regular reviews keep your medicines and risk factors on track.

Emergency signs

Very high blood pressure can cause severe headache, vomiting, vision problems, confusion, seizures, chest pain or breathlessness. Call 000 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Heart attack warning signs include chest, arm or shoulder pain and shortness of breath, and sometimes nausea, sweating, dizziness or pain in the back, neck or jaw. The Heart Foundation’s warning signs guide says to call 000 if symptoms get worse or are not better after 10 minutes.

Common questions