Get checked for hypertension

measurement methods.

Pharmacist Luke Owen of Blooms The Chemist at Erina Fair says untreated hypertension can lead to complications such as heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure.

“The complication that come from hypertension are what we are most concerned about,” he said.

“It is a silent condition, with many not recognising they have it until they experience symptoms such as a really high throbbing in the head.”

Owen said a range of things could cause the condition, including advancing age.

“Controllable factors include diet, salt intake, a sedentary lifestyle and stress,” he said.

“The test for hypertension is very simple and can be done at any pharmacy.

“You can even buy a test and do it at home.

“We would suggest a series of tests to establish if there is a trend and advise testing once each year.

“If diagnosed, we would probably suggest a threemonth trial of lifestyle changes.

“These might include introducing a morning walk, looking at the sodium content in foods, using less table salt

Time to have a flu jab

With flu season in full swing as we enter into the colder months, Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch is encouraging everyone to roll up their sleeve for an influenza/flu vaccination.

“This year flu season is expected to be more serious than previous years, so that’s why it is important that we all roll up our sleeves for a flu vaccination,” Crouch said.

“The flu can be serious for children who are younger than five, those aged 65 or above, women who are pregnant and individuals who suffer from medical conditions such as kidney and heart disease.” For more information on the flu and where you can get a flu vaccination visit www. healthdirect.gov.au.

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Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch and mindfulness recommendations.

“If these don’t curb it, there is a range of medications which work on body systems to influence high blood pressure.”

Blooms The Chemist Pharmacist-owner Andria Aird is passionate about addressing misconceptions that high blood pressure rarely affects women, who represent nearly half of all adults suffering the condition.

“Unfortunately, many of the common symptoms experienced by women who may have hypertension are dismissed as something less concerning, such as assuming it’s a side effect of hormonal imbalances during pregnancy, menopause and postmenopause,” she said.

“Left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to a range of serious health complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, eye damage and pregnancy complications.

“Unfortunately, people are often unaware of what a normal blood pressure reading is, which in most adults should be between 120/80 and 140/90 mmHg.

“If a reading is out of this range, we can provide timely advice on changes in lifestyle habits and discuss current medication that may be causing high blood pressure.

“However, if we have concerns, we will recommend to a patient that they visit their GP.”

Morning tea raises more than $2,000 for cancer research

Residents of Blue Point Terrigal and their friends have raised more than $2,000 for breast cancer research.

More than 60 people gathered for a Biggest Morning Tea on Wednesday, May 24. Festooned with red bras and pink balloons, the poolside setting was perfect under clear blue skies for a spectacular morning of cakes, scones and tasty morsels.

Tea was served in fine bone china.

Generous donations from local businesses encouraged interest in the raffles, enabling organisers Karen Harper,

Bobbie Ross-Edwards and Annette Podryhul to announce ticket sales and donations had raised more than $2,100 on the day.

Pink Day at Blue Point is now destined to become an even bigger event in 2024.

Source: Blue Point Terrigal

Federal Member for Shortland Pat Conroy is encouraging local teachers, parents and students to have their say on the future of school education through a new national survey.

It is part of the Expert Panel Review into the next National School Reform Agreement. Survey participants can have their say on range of issues including improving education outcomes, supporting student