Health checks you can get at a Leeds pharmacy without a GP referral
Reviewed by GPhC Pharmacist Ashley Cohen at Halton Pharmacy Clinical Team, Leeds , GPhC No. 1039734 Quick answer You can get several health checks at a Leeds pharmacy without a GP referral or appointment with your doctor. Adults aged 40 and over who have not been diagnosed with high blood pressure can usually get a […]
Diabetes blood tests: HbA1c versus finger-prick, and who should test
Reviewed by GPhC Pharmacist Ashley Cohen at Halton Pharmacy Clinical Team, Leeds , GPhC No. 1039734 Quick answer An HbA1c test measures your average blood sugar over the past two to three months and is the main test used to diagnose type 2 diabetes and prediabetes, while a finger-prick blood glucose test shows your blood […]
Nocturnal Hypertension and Non-Dipping Blood Pressure: The Hidden Pattern That Raises Cardiovascular Risk
Reviewed by GPhC Pharmacist Ashley Cohen, GPhC No. 1039734 at Halton Pharmacy Clinical Team, Leeds Quick answer Blood pressure normally falls by around 10 to 20% while you sleep. If it falls by less than 10%, this is called non-dipping, and if your average night-time blood pressure stays at 120/70 mmHg or higher, this is […]
What Happens at a Heart and Metabolic Health Check at Halton Pharmacy: A Step-by-Step Guide
Reviewed by GPhC Pharmacist Ashley Cohen, GPhC No. 1039734 at Halton Pharmacy Clinical Team, Leeds Quick answer A heart and metabolic health check at Halton Pharmacy takes place in a private consultation room and usually takes around 20 to 30 minutes. Your pharmacist will ask about your lifestyle, medical history and any family history of […]
Alcohol and Cardiovascular Health: What the Evidence Now Shows After Years of Confusing Messages
Reviewed by GPhC Pharmacist Ashley Cohen, GPhC No. 1039734 at Halton Pharmacy Clinical Team, Leeds Quick answer For years, a glass of red wine was said to be good for the heart, but newer research suggests any heart benefit from moderate drinking is much smaller than once thought, and there is no health reason to […]
Stress and Cardiovascular Health: What the Evidence Says About Chronic Psychological Stress and Heart Disease
Reviewed by GPhC Pharmacist Ashley Cohen, GPhC No. 1039734 at Halton Pharmacy Clinical Team, Leeds’ Stress is not just a “wellness” buzzword. It has a real, measurable effect on your heart. Research shows a clear link between long-term stress and heart disease. This matters because stress is something you can manage. Understanding how it affects […]
Peripheral Arterial Disease: The Leg Pain That Is Often Mistaken for Something Else for these
Reviewed by GPhC Pharmacist Ashley Cohen, GPhC No. 1039734 at Halton Pharmacy Clinical Team, Leeds Quick answer Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) happens when fatty deposits narrow the arteries in your legs, reducing blood flow to your muscles. The most common symptom is a cramping or aching pain in the calves, thighs or buttocks when you […]
Smoking Cessation and Cardiovascular Risk: How Quickly Your Heart Starts to Recover When You Stop
Reviewed by GPhC Pharmacist Ashley Cohen, GPhC No. 1039734 at Halton Pharmacy Clinical Team, Leeds Of all the heart risk factors you can actually change, smoking is the one where stopping makes the biggest, fastest difference. At Halton Pharmacy in Leeds, smoking cessation support is part of our Heart and Metabolic Health Hub. One of […]
Erectile Dysfunction and Heart Health: Why It’s an Early Warning Sign
Reviewed by GPhC Pharmacist Ashley Cohen, GPhC No. 1039734 at Halton Pharmacy Clinical Team, Leeds Erectile dysfunction (ED) is often seen as a urological or psychological issue. Sometimes it is. But if you’re over 40, ED can also be an early warning sign of heart disease. In many cases, ED shows up 3–5 years before […]
Sleep Apnoea and Blood Pressure: The Nocturnal Connection Most Patients With Hypertension Do Not Know About
Reviewed by GPhC Pharmacist Ashley Cohen, GPhC No. 1039734 at Halton Pharmacy Clinical Team, Leeds Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is one of the most common causes of hard to control high blood pressure in the UK. It’s also significantly underdiagnosed. At Halton Pharmacy’s Heart and Metabolic Health Hub in Leeds, some patients with elevated blood […]