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High blood pressure

Why does this matter?

If your blood pressure is too high before surgery, it can increase the risk of complications such as bleeding, heart problems, or stroke during and after your surgery. Good control helps keep you safe and supports recovery. Having high blood pressure may also delay your surgery.

You need to keep an eye on your health and have regular check-ups if you have high blood pressure because if it is not well managed it can lead to

  • Heart disease and stroke
  • Heart attack
  • Heart failure
  • Kidney problems
  • Vascular dementia

Now – not just before surgery – is the best time to start following the advice you have been given to improve your blood pressure and overall health. It can make a big difference.

What you need to do:

  • Check your blood pressure regularly at home or at your GP practice – many GP practices have a machine in the waiting area - alternatively you could have it checked by your pharmacist, nurse, or GP. Remember high blood pressure usually has no symptoms
  • Take your high blood pressure medicines as prescribed
  • Eat a healthy balanced diet and keep active - this helps control your blood pressure, manage weight and improve over health
  • Reduce salt in your diet
  • Avoid smoking and limit alcohol
  • Attend your routine reviews with your practice pharmacist, nurse or GP and follow the advice given during these reviews
  • Attend any tests or appointments as recommended by your hospital team
  • Tell your healthcare team if your readings are high or you feel unwell

Go here to access the NHS Wales 111 page to find out more about high blood pressure.

Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth a galwadau ffôn yn y Gymraeg neu'r Saesneg. Atebir gohebiaeth Gymraeg yn y Gymraeg, ac ni fydd hyn yn arwain at oedi. Mae’r dudalen hon ar gael yn Gymraeg drwy bwyso’r botwm ar y dde ar frig y dudalen.

We welcome correspondence and telephone calls in Welsh or English. Welsh language correspondence will be replied to in Welsh, and this will not lead to a delay. This page is available in Welsh by clicking ‘Cymraeg’ at the top right of this page.