Hypertension health checks  

What your result means

As part of your health check, we ask you to complete a short questionnaire called the AUDIT-C. This helps us understand whether your alcohol intake may be affecting your health and whether any further support may be beneficial.

Why it matters

Regularly drinking above the recommended limits can increase your risk of:

• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Liver disease
• Certain cancers
• Poor sleep
• Anxiety and depression

What you can do

Even small reductions in alcohol intake can improve your health.

Helpful tips include:

• Have several alcohol-free days each week.
• Spread your drinking over three or more days.
• Choose lower-strength drinks.
• Alternate alcoholic drinks with water or soft drinks.
• Avoid binge drinking.

Alcohol screening results

AUDIT-C score of 0–5

Your result suggests that your alcohol intake is within the lower-risk range.

This generally means no further action is usually required as part of your alcohol screening.

AUDIT-C score of 6–10

If your AUDIT-C score is 6-10, this suggests that your alcohol intake may be at a level where it could affect your health. This does not necessarily mean you have an alcohol problem. Identifying higher-risk drinking early allows us to offer advice and support before health problems develop. Please use the links below if you would like to reduce the amount you drink.

AUDIT-C score of 11 or above

If your AUDIT-C score is 11 or above, we will review your medical records, following this review:

• We may decide that no further action is needed from us as you are already being supported.
• You may be asked to complete a more detailed alcohol assessment questionnaire.
• We may contact you to discuss your alcohol intake and any support that may benefit you.

Please use the links below for support or if you would like to reduce the amount you drink.

Information about safe alcohol intake:

Drink less alcohol – Better Health – NHS

Peer support for stopping alcohol 

Home – Alcoholics Anonymous Great Britain

Self-Help Addiction Recovery | UK Smart Recovery

For South Gloucestershire patients

South Gloucestershire Drug and Alcohol Service | DHI

For Bristol patients

Get Drug and Alcohol Support That Works For You in Bristol | Horizons Bristol

What your result means

If you currently smoke, stopping smoking is one of the most important things you can do to improve your health.

Whatever your age, quitting smoking has immediate and long-term health benefits.

Why it matters

Stopping smoking can:

• Reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer.
• Improve your lung health.
• Lower your blood pressure.
• Improve your circulation.
• Increase your energy levels.
• Improve your sense of taste and smell.
• Save you money.

Many people make several attempts before stopping successfully. Support significantly increases your chances of quitting.

What you can do

You do not have to stop smoking on your own.

Free stop smoking services provide:

• One-to-one support.
• Nicotine replacement therapy advice.
• Medication advice where appropriate.
• Ongoing encouragement and support.

Local stop smoking support

If you would like help to stop smoking, free support is available through your local Stop Smoking Service.

You can:

• Visit the South Gloucestershire Stop Smoking Service here Quit Smoking | One You South Gloucestershire

• Telephone 01454 865337 to speak to the team.

They can provide personalised advice, support and information about treatments that can help you quit.

If you vape

Some people use vaping as a way to stop smoking cigarettes. If you are ready to stop vaping as well, the NHS provides practical advice and support to help you quit safely. How to quit vaping – Better Health – NHS

What your result means

BMI (Body Mass Index) is a simple way of assessing whether your weight is appropriate for your height.

Why it matters
Maintaining a healthy weight compared to your height can help to:

• Lower blood pressure.
• Reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes.
• Improve cholesterol levels.
• Reduce strain on your heart and joints.
• Improve your overall wellbeing.

What you can do

Healthy weight loss is most successful when changes are small and sustainable.

Consider:

• Increasing your physical activity.
• Eating a balanced diet.
• Reducing sugary drinks and high-calorie snacks.
• Seeking support if needed.

BMI results

 BMI 18.5 or below

• You are considered as underweight if your BMI is below 18.5.
• Low BMI can sometimes be linked to nutritional deficiencies, underlying health issues, or reduced muscle mass. If you have a low BMI a clinician will review your records and you may be called in for a review or get an offer of support via a text message.

BMI between 18.6 and 24.9 (or between 18.6 and 22.9 for BAME patients)

• You are considered not to be overweight.

 BMI of 25 or above (or 23 and above for BAME patients)

• Your BMI suggests that you are above the healthy weight range.
• Losing even a small amount of weight can improve your health, please consider using the links below to support you.
•  If you would like help to reduce your weight/BMI support is available using the following links:
• www.oneyou.southglos.gov.uk/for-your-body 
•  www.nhs.uk/better-health/lose- weight 
•  Link to our weight management page for more options:
• Weight management – Orchard Medical Centre

How does ethnic background (BAME – Asian, Black African, African-Caribbean or Middle Eastern) affect BMI?

• People from different ethnic groups store body fat in different ways. This means people from an Asian, Black African, African-Caribbean or Middle Eastern ethnic background may have a higher risk of health problems at a lower BMI.

• Please see below for a BMI chart for people from an Asian, Black African, African-Caribbean or Middle Eastern ethnic background

BAME Weight and Height Image Chart 

 
BAME – Category – BMI – Chart colour
Underweight: Under 18.5 – Blue
Healthy weight: 18.5 to 22.9 – Green
Overweight: 23 to 27.4 – Yellow
Obese: 27.5 and above – Red

What your results mean

Your blood pressure reading helps us assess your risk of conditions such as heart disease and stroke.

High blood pressure  can cause serious problems like strokes or heart disease, but it does not usually have any symptoms. The only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to get it checked.

Low blood pressure can cause symptoms such as dizziness or fainting.

Why it matters

Keeping your blood pressure within the recommended range helps reduce your risk of:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Kidney disease
• Heart failure

What you can do

You can help keep your blood pressure healthy by:

• Taking your medication as prescribed.
• Maintaining a healthy weight.
• Reducing salt intake.
• Being physically active.
• Drinking alcohol within recommended limits.
• Stopping smoking.

Blood Pressure (BP) results

Your blood pressure is well controlled

Your blood pressure is within the target range. Please continue your current treatment and lifestyle unless your GP or specialist advises otherwise. Continue taking any prescribed medication unless you have been told to stop.

Your blood pressure is high or low

Your blood pressure reading is outside the expected range (see chart below). You may be invited to attend the practice for a review unless you are already having support. It may also include repeating your blood pressure measurement and discussing whether any further investigation or treatment is required.