Effects of HBP

[ladyscorpio]

Take Action To Lower Your Numbers
Blood pressure

Ignoring your blood pressure can be dangerous: If it's high, it can literally gouge holes in your arteries over time. And that makes your RealAge dramatically older. So start thinking about your blood pressure today.

Blood Pressure Doctor Discussion Guide
By RealAge
Page 1 of 1

Use this discussion guide to facilitate an in-depth conversation with your doctor about how your blood pressure is affecting your health. Print it out, and fill in the answers at your next appointment.
My Blood Pressure Numbers

My blood pressure numbers are: ___ / ___ mm HG

What do these numbers mean?
__________________________________________________ ________

My goal blood pressure numbers are: ___ / ___ mm HG

Based on my numbers, what health risks should I be aware of?
__________________________________________________ ________
Monitoring My Blood Pressure

How often should my blood pressure be checked?
__________________________________________________ ________

How can I make sure my readings here and at home are accurate?
__________________________________________________ ________
My High Blood Pressure Risk Factors

What are my high blood pressure risk factors?
__________________________________________________ ________

What should I be doing to control or change these risk factors?
__________________________________________________ ________
Treating My Blood Pressure

Can you recommend an exercise program that will help with my blood pressure?
__________________________________________________ ________

What kind of dietary changes will help control my blood pressure?
__________________________________________________ ________

What is my ideal BMI?
__________________________________________________ ________

What other lifestyle changes will help control my blood pressure?
__________________________________________________ ________

Are there medications that may help control my blood pressure?
__________________________________________________ ________

How long will I need to take them, and how will we know if they are working?

[izayoi]

Another thing sis is you want to insure your blood pressure is taken CORRECTLY. Most medical professionals do a sloppy job. This can drastically change your numbers and in some cases medications may be prescribed unnecessarily.

1. Cuff size should be appropriate (not too big or too small). How often do you see people actually adjust the cuff properly?:hmm:

2. Body position matters!!! Arms needs to be slightly bent and ideally at close to heart level. There is a difference in blood pressures taken lying down and seated. Try to be consistent if you can.Legs shouldn't be crossed. I have seen techs take blood pressures on people standing up and this is completely incorrect!!!:smh:

3. You should be QUIET during your blood pressure measurement. Talking and laughing with the nurse or whoever is taking your pressure will change the reading (increase it).

4. Digital machines needs to be calibrated on a regular basis.

5. Cell phones can sometimes interfere with some machines. Don't have it too close when you are getting your blood pressure taken just in case.

6. If you have "white coat syndrome" make sure they take your blood pressure at least twice!. My blood pressure shoots up right before it's taken (anxiety), and then it will drop dramatically within 5-10 minutes. If I do not insist they take it more than once, they won't.

http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?ss=15&doc_id=6527&nbr=4093