Barrie & Community Family Health Team Hypertension Program

Hypertension Program

Who We Are

The Barrie & Community Family Health Team's Hypertension Program was initiated in 2010. The goal of this program is to identify patients with hypertension in the Barrie & Community Family Health Team patient population and provide them with education that supports individual learning and self-management of this condition. The Hypertension Program is delivered and supported by a knowledgeable interdisciplinary team including Administrative Assistants, Nurse Practitioner, Registered Dietitian and Pharmacist. This comprehensive program is available to all Family Physicians within the Barrie & Community Family Health Team. Patients are referred to the Hypertension Classes by their Family Physician.

Hypertension Program Overview

Hypertension is a condition also known as high blood pressure. About 1 in 5 Canadians have high blood pressure, and many people tend to develop high blood pressure as they get older. Once hypertension/high blood pressure develops, it usually lasts a lifetime, but you can prevent and control high blood pressure by making healthy lifestyle choices.

The Hypertension Program offers patient centered education classes which focus on:

What is blood pressure
What is hypertension
Causes and risks of hypertension
Self-measurement of blood pressure and what the numbers mean
Ways to lower your blood pressure including diet changes and how your diet can affect your blood pressure
Blood pressure medications

Patients may sign up for an individual appointment to be arranged with a Registered Dietitian, Pharmacist or follow up with their Family Physician if they feel they need additional help with managing their blood pressure after the hypertension classes.