Category: High Blood Pressure

Information on high blood pressure, risks, and how to lower it

When Should I Check My Blood Pressure at Home?

Way too many billions of people worldwide suffer from high blood pressure, also known as hypertension (HTN) and they don’t know it. Some never check their blood pressure while others don’t check it enough. They only have it checked when they go to the doctor’s office.

Furthermore, 45% of individuals with known high blood pressure do not have it within an acceptable range even though they go to the doctor. They are taking prescription  blood pressure medication that is failing to control their blood pressure. This might be you.

Elevated or not, you should get into the habit of checking your blood pressure especially if you are overweight, diabetic, drink alcohol, eat a high sodium diet, inactive, smoke, snore, abuse drugs or if you have a family history of high blood pressure or have kidney disease.

A question frequently asked by individual that are ready to take steps to lower their blood pressure is when should I take my blood pressure at home? And its good question. Plan to check your blood pressure when you wake up and before bedtime. Also plan to take it if you had a stressful day or feel symptoms of high or low blood pressure such as head ache or dizziness.

Facts about High Blood Pressure

  •  75 million people in the US have high blood pressure
  • 81% are unaware that they have it
  •  75% are treated and only 51% is adequately controlled
  • Occurs more often in blacks at a rate of 41%
  • Morbidity and mortality are greater in blacks
  • 2/3 of people over 65 have high blood pressure
  • High blood pressure increases with age

Statistics show that the most common reason why we visit the doctor is for blood pressure management. Yet still our blood pressure is poorly managed and out of control leaving us at risk for complications.

I Got 99 Problems and Getting a Doctor’s Appointment is One

When you first found out that you were hypertensive with a BP of 150/95, you refused to take the prescription. If being more active can help, then you are on it like white on rice.  However, 6 months later your blood pressure did not budge, so you decided to take the blood pressure pill prescribed by your doctor, continue walking and ditched the  french fries and hamburgers.

Fast forward now.  You feel the same. Well you did not have any symptoms of high blood pressure to begin with. So how do you know if any of this is working?  According to the chart in the doctor’s office, by now you should see a decrease in your systolic blood pressure by approximately 15- 20 points. But you have not followed up with your doctor. Now what?

There is no denying that we sometimes have too much on our plate like career and family, but sometimes it also very difficult to get a doctor’s appointment. After waiting two months for your visit, you had to wait 2 more hours to be seen by the doctors.

I appreciate and respect doctors and their expertise, but they are also a part of the problem. Have you ever tried to call your doctor after hours or on the weekend? What kind of help do you get? None!!

Doctors play a role in this problem too because once the office closes for the day, holidays and weekends, they are impossible to reach and sometimes they  take days to return a phone call or call in a prescription to the pharmacy. Forget about the physician on call. They never want to make changes to your medication because they don’t know who you are. You are told to wait for the office to reopen and go the emergency room in the case of an emergency.

Self Management of Blood Pressure

Did you know that studies have shown that if you check your blood pressure on a regular basis, you will have better control over it? However, you cannot rely only on your visit to the doctor to have your blood pressure check. Fortunately, you have options including checking it yourself. But don’t be misled. You will still need support and guidance from your physician.

Hopefully, you have a physician that understands the role you will now play to help control your own high blood pressure. He/She will guide you on how to take, track and report your blood pressure readings. You might even receive instructions on how to adjust your medication base on the readings.

The only way to know if your lifestyle changes and blood pressure medication is working is to take your blood pressure regularly. Depending on where you live, you can also have your blood pressure taken at the pharmacy. Some churches and community centers offer blood pressure screening. Look for one in your area.

If your blood pressure is elevated only when checked in the doctor’s office, then you might have a condition called white coat hypertension. Being able to check your blood pressure outside of the doctor office will help the doctor decide if you have true hypertension. If it is still then your are most  like hypertensive.

However, the reverse can also be true, your blood pressure can be normal at the doctor’s office but high at home. Therefore, having the right tools and resources to check your blood pressure regularly is crucial for you over all health and well-being.

Tricks of the Trade from a Nurse

Experts recommend that you check your blood pressure two times per day. Take your blood pressure 2-3 times, one minute a part as follows:

  • Relax for 5 mins before checking
  • Sit in a chair with your back  supported
  •  Uncross legs
  •  Feet flat on the ground or supported by a foot stool
  • Relax Arm at the level of the heart on a hard surface
  •  No talking, text, watching TV or activity
  •  No caffeine, exercise, or smoking 30mins before checking.
  •  Empty bladder
  • Take your blood pressure at the same time everyday

BP Devices

  •  Automated (recommended]
  • Manual

Select the right site

  • Upper arm (recommended)
  • Wrist
  • Thigh
  • Lower Leg

Select the Right Arm Circumference Cuff Size

  • 22-26cm Small Adult
  • 27-34cm Adult
  • 35—44cm Large Adult
  • 45-52cm Adult Thigh

Select a device that is Validated and Certified by one of the following;

  • Association for the Advancement of Medical Instruments
  • British Hypertension Society
  • European Society of Hypertension

Somebody Please Call 911 or Your Doctor or Go to the Emergency Room

Now that you understand the importance of taking your blood pressure and you learned the skills of proper blood pressure measurement the next step is to know when to call 911.


If you experience any of the below symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Nosebleed
  • Sudden difficulty speaking and understanding
  • Sudden loss of vision or vision problems
  • Sudden weakness in one arm, one leg or one side of the face
  • Sudden spinning sensation in head
  • Sudden severe headache
  • Sudden chest or arm pain
  • Sudden Confusion
  • Several high blood pressure reading
  • SBP greater than 180 or DBP greater than 110

Because I don’t know your circumstances, I cannot advice you  on which action to take if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms. I am very aware that we don’t all have access to the same healthcare. But you should know that something serious might be happening to you and you need to seek help.

If you are diagnosed with hypertension but despite taking medications, your blood pressure is still high then start to monitor your blood pressure.  You will increase your chances of getting it within normal range.

If you are overweight, diabetic, smoke , stressed, eat and drink too much of the wrong things then you will develop high blood pressure. No questions ask. You should also start checking your blood pressure too and get a head of it.

The most effective way for you to be successful with checking your blood pressure often  is to have your own equipment at home. Select a  machine that is easy to use. Preferably one that stores your information . This way you can  keep track and report your measurements to your doctor. Taking your blood pressure is a quick and painless process. With the right mindset, support and tools you will be on  your way towards good health.

 

 

Got High Blood Pressure? How To Lower Blood Pressure Without Medication

Did you know that exercising can help you reduce your blood pressure by 4 – 9 points? Research suggests that participating in moderate physical activity for 30 minutes most days of the week can help lower your blood pressure by 4-9 points. While that might not seem like a lot, think again . You will soon  realize that 9 points can be the difference between normal blood pressure and high blood pressure, taking no pills, one, two or three pills. Exercising is one way you can lower your blood pressure naturally. Continue reading and discover other proven ways to control your high blood pressure.

Over half of Americans 18 and older and one-third of adults worldwide have blood pressure above normal range or hypertension. 7.5 million death occurs every year due to the complications of high blood pressure. The most common reason why Americans visit their doctor is to manage their high blood pressure. But still only approximately only 50% have their blood pressure under control.

Staying Alive With Good Blood Pressure !!!

 

 

 

 

 

Your blood pressure is the measurement of the  pressure of blood against the wall of  your blood vessels (arteries) that occurs when the heart contracts and relax. In the right amount, the pressure keeps you alive. Adequate blood flow and blood pressure are vital for the survival of your organs and you. It is one of the “vital signs” that tells us you are alive. But it can also indicate that you are not doing so well and might die without timely and proper treatment. Too high or too low blood is not good for you.

High blood pressure also known as hypertension (HTN), is sustained elevated blood pressure at rest. The testing for high blood pressure  is a routine test done on your visit to your doctor. Its very simple and quick and usually does not hurt.  Although any trained personnel can take your blood pressure , your doctor is the only one that can give you a final diagnosis. He will also discuss a treatment plan with you.

At your visit  to the doctor, clinic or hospital, they connect you to a machine and take your “vital signs.” Blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and temperature are taken.  Although  not full proof, it is one of the quickest ways they check what is going on in your body. It is one of the first things we do in an emergency.

Measure Up

Sphygmomanometers is medical device used to measure your blood pressure.

One way to measure your blood pressure is to wrap a cuff attached to a machine around your arm, leg or wrist. The cuff inflates and displays  number. There are other internal ways, but at home, you will be using a cuff attached to a device. While some people uses the cuff wrapped around the wrist the American College of Cardiology (ACC)  and America Heart Association (AHA)  recommends using the upper  arm because it is more accurate.

The manual method, although  not popular, it is still used by some healthcare professional. This method uses a stethoscope and an inflatable pumping device attached to the cuff. It takes more time and effort and good hearing and not recommended for home use.

Depending on the situation in the hospital or clinic you might see one of the other ways listed below:

  • Electronic
  • Manual
  • Arterial
  • Palpable

Your blood pressure measurement is written or displayed on the machine with a top number and bottom, i.e., 125/72. Some device has other numeric values, but we will only focus on the two numbers that reports your blood pressure. The top number is called systolic blood pressure (SBP), and the bottom number is called diastolic blood pressure (DBP).

SBP (top number) is a measurement of the pressure in your arteries when your heart contracts.
DBP (bottom number ) is a measurement of the pressure in your arteries when the heart relaxes between each contraction..

Back in 2017 the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and America Heart Association published new guidelines for the prevent, diagnosis and treatment of blood pressure as follows:

Normal        Systolic    120

Diastolic  80

Elevated      Systolic    120 – 129

Diastolic   80

High Stage 1 Systolic  130 – 139

Diastolic     80 -89

High Stage 2  Systolic 140

Diastolic  90

High blood pressure is referred as  the silent killer because you might not have any symptoms in the early stages. Many people are not diagnosed until the later stages because they do not get regular check-ups. They usually present to the emergency room with dizziness, headaches, feeling tired amongst other symptoms. Some individuals present with a stroke, aneurysm or heart attack. Often times this is too late, and they can not be saved.

Complications of High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure if not controlled can slowly cause havoc in your body. The high pressure gradually causes severe damage to both small and large blood vessels throughout the body. The body compensates, but this also leads to other changes in structures that cause further damage. Small and large arteries become occluded, or hemorrhage (major bleeding) occurs over time and can cause permanent damage to the brain, heart, kidney, and eyes.

The most common complications are listed below. Some are life-threatening.

  • Cerebral Vascular Disease can cause a stroke leading to death or disability
  • Chronic Kidney Disease can cause permanent kidney damage requiring dialysis and kidney transplant.
  • Congestive Heart Failure can cause heart damage requiring a heart transplant.
  • An aortic Aneurysm can break/rupture causing death
  • Peripheral Artery Disease causes poor circulation to your legs. Sometimes amputation is necessary.

 

Can You Take Some Pills, Can You Take Some More Pills

Unfortunately, the blood pressure medication prescribed by your physician will not cure your high blood pressure. The purpose of the medicine is to control your blood pressure and keep it within the normal range, therefore reducing the chances of complication. This means if you stop taking your medication your blood pressure will increase. Unless you made some changes to your lifestyle, without medication your blood pressure would remain high.

When you are the hospitalized, your blood pressure gets checked every four hours by the nursing staff. It is not necessary for you to check it this often at home. The stress of being sick can affect your blood pressure and this is the reason it checked so often. Furthermore, you will not have a nurse to give you your medication on schedule and check your blood pressure therefore just like exercise you have to the find a way to include it in your daily routine until it becomes a habit.

The pills that are given to you in the hospital to treat your blood pressure  are the same ones you will continue at home. They will not discharge you with medication that you were not given in the hospital. They make changes until they find the right combination and dose that fits you. Getting it right can take several attempts. The doctor reviews your blood pressure trends and changes either the medication, the dosage or the frequency.

In contrast, since the doctor has less control of you in an outpatient setting , i.e the clinic, finding the right therapy  might take longer. He will rely on you , instead of the nurse to keep track of your blood pressure and how you feel. The best way to do this is to keep a BP journal .

It can take up to the three different combinations of blood pressure medication to get your blood pressure in an acceptable range. However, whenever changes are made  to your medicine ask your doctor when should you expect improvement. Blood pressure medications are not like antidepressant that takes up the two weeks to start working. Most blood pressure medication starts to work in a few hours. Therefore, plan to  have your blood pressure checked soon after starting a new drug or changing doses. Whenever you have stressful situation in your life you should check you blood pressure at a minimum of daily and report unusual values to your physician.

Noncompliance with prescribe medication, and lifestyle modification is very common among individuals diagnose with high blood pressure. Although proven to be effective, very few people change their lifestyle . Two common reasons for non-compliance with prescribed medication are cost and side effects. The side effects that you feel might be because your blood pressure went down low too quickly or because it went down too low. Too low blood pressure can cause similar symptoms like high blood pressure such as dizziness. If you check your blood pressure and it’s too low, you should call your doctor before taking the next dose.

Do it Now Not Later

Achieving and maintaining healthy blood pressure requires lifestyle modifications as follows:

  • Ideal Body Weight – depends on your age and height. You already know if you need to lose weight.
  • Sodium (Salt) Restriction – 1500mg per day
  • Regular aerobic activity – 30 minutes moderate exercise 5 days a week
  • Moderate alcohol consumption – 2 drinks per day for men, one drink per day for women
  • Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension Eating Plan (DASH) – Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, seeds, low fat, and nonfat dairy

Take a good look at the list. Adjusting any of these areas can start you on the road to successfully managing your high blood pressure. Which one can you change today?