Is your blood pressure under control really?
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a common problem in this country. Fortunately, most people can be easily controlled with a combination of lifestyle changes and medication.
If you are taking blood pressure medications, it is important to watch at home regularly. In a significant number of people with hypertension, blood pressure is not adequately controlled, despite being on medication. It’s a good idea to get a blood pressure monitor to use at home (the type that goes around the arm, not the wrist). Take the pressure in the morning and at night at least every week and keep track of your readings.
Why is it important to control? Uncontrolled hypertension can cause a variety of potential danger to life, such as:
* Heart failure
* Aneurysm, a weakening of the wall of a blood vessel that bulges and can burst
* Kidney damage that can lead to kidney failure
* Stroke
Many people are aware that some nonprescription drugs can have an adverse effect on your blood pressure. Common drugs such as decongestants and nasal sprays, can raise blood pressure to unhealthy levels. Do not assume that you can buy without a prescription that is quite safe. Read the labels of OTC drugs and when in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
In addition to taking their medication as prescribed, what can you do to help control your blood pressure? Let’s start with diet. The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) is a study by the National Institutes of Health has shown that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and foods with low fat dairy products, along with a reduction in sodium intake may help lower blood pressure as much as 14%.
Regular moderate exercise also helps control blood pressure, as well as maintaining a healthy weight. It has also shown that deep, slow breathing done on a regular basis can have a positive impact on blood pressure.
It is important that you become an active partner with your doctor in maintaining their health. If, after regular follow-up, find your blood pressure is consistently high (optimal blood pressure is now defined as below 120/80), discuss with your doctor. Doctors are being urged to be more aggressive in treating high blood pressure, and yet, some doctors are a bit lax on this important issue. Sometimes all it takes is an adjustment in the dose of medication or a change to a new drug. Either way, make sure your blood pressure is well controlled. It could save your life.