Brought to you by Naija UK Connect — Supporting Nigerians in the UK Without ILR
In light of the new UK Immigration White Paper, health and wellbeing have never been more important — especially for Nigerians living in the UK who are still on visas and not yet on Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
At Naija UK Connect, we understand that staying in good health isn’t just about feeling better — it’s also about being ready for any changes in immigration policies and life opportunities. That’s why we’re sharing this vital information about blood pressure, a silent but dangerous condition that affects many people, especially Africans.
What Exactly Is Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is the force your blood uses to travel through your arteries. You need it to stay alive — but when it gets too high (called hypertension), it becomes a silent danger.
It’s measured with two numbers:
- Systolic (top number): The pressure when your heart pumps
- Diastolic (bottom number): The pressure between beats
✅ Normal: Less than 120/80 mm Hg
⚠️ Elevated: 120-129 / below 80
🚨 Stage 1 Hypertension: 130-139 / 80-89
🚨 Stage 2 Hypertension: 140+/90+
Why Nigerians Should Care
Hypertension is more common in Black communities — and often shows no symptoms. You may look and feel fine, but damage is silently happening to your:
- Brain
- Kidneys
- Heart
- Eyes
This is serious. High blood pressure increases your risk of stroke, kidney failure, heart attack, and even sudden death.
How Do I Know If My BP Is High?
You can’t just guess — you need to check it.
Naija UK Connect encourages you to:
🩺 Check your BP regularly at your GP surgery or local pharmacy
🧘🏾 Avoid stress, caffeine, smoking, and salty foods before testing
🧍🏾♂️ Sit quietly for 5 minutes before your reading
If you’re worried about access to healthcare because of your visa status — you can still register with a GP. We can guide you on this if needed.
Prevention Tips – Especially for Our Community
You don’t always need medication — in many cases, lifestyle changes are powerful enough:
- 🥦 Eat plenty of fruits and veggies
- 🧂 Reduce salt
- 🏃🏾 Move your body — even a daily walk helps
- 🍾 Cut back on alcohol
- 🚭 Don’t smoke
- ⚖️ Lose excess weight
Good health is good preparation. Being physically well puts you in a stronger position if you’re applying for ILR or facing policy changes.
When Is Treatment Needed?
If your blood pressure is:
- 130/80 or more and you have other risk factors, you may need medicine.
- 140/90 or more, you likely need both lifestyle changes and medication.
Common BP medicines include:
- Diuretics
- ACE inhibitors
- ARBs
- Calcium channel blockers
Always speak to a doctor before starting anything. Again, visa status does not block access to NHS care — and Naija UK Connect can support you in navigating this system.
We’re Here for You 🇳🇬❤️🇬🇧
Whether you’re new in the UK or still working toward ILR, Naija UK Connect is here to support you — from health awareness to immigration updates, community links, and more.
Blood pressure is just one part of the big picture. Take care of yourself — because your health is your wealth, and your wellbeing today helps secure your tomorrow.
👉 Need help registering with a GP? Confused about the new immigration rules? Want to join a support group?
📲 Reach out to us at Naija UK Connect — you’re not alone.
#NaijaUKConnect #StayHealthy #BloodPressureAwareness #ILRJourney #NigeriansInUK #WellbeingFirst
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