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LIVING WELL : Hyper-Tension : HPV : Multiple Myeloma : Through This World But Once :

HYPERTENSION: “THE SILENT KILLER”

Hypertension accounts for more than 30 million physician office visits per year and is amongst the most frequent diagnosis made. Despite this fact, it is still one of the most poorly controlled conditions in the United States. The number translates to almost 25% of the adult population and the incidence increases with age. This article will focus primarily on prevention, home blood pressure monitoring and medication compliance.

Lifestyle modifications are an important component in the prevention and treatment of hypertension. Recommended modifications include: (1) weight loss if overweight; (2) limiting alcohol intake to ≤ 1 ounce per day; (3) increasing aerobic physical activity (4) reducing sodium intake to ≤ 2.4 g/day (6g/day sodium chloride); (5) maintaining adequate dietary intake of potassium, calcium, and magnesium; (6) reducing dietary intake of saturated fat and cholesterol; and (7) smoking cessation. Patients should be aware of their blood pressure goal and the importance of routine follow-ups and monitoring.

Patients often seek the pharmacist’s help in purchasing a home monitoring kit. When choosing a blood pressure kit is important to know that the further the cuff is placed away from the heart, the less accurate the blood pressure reading will be. Therefore, the most optimal blood pressure monitor is one with a cuff that reads from the upper arm. Important tips for taking home blood pressure reading. Patients should: empty bladder; remain quiet, be seated and rest for two minutes prior to reading, take blood pressure on both arms; take 2 readings and average them together, be sure that cuff is placed properly on the arm, and take blood pressure same time each day. Patients should not: drink caffeine within 60 minutes of reading; smoke within 30 minutes of reading; wear tight clothing on the arm or forearm; take substances that contain stimulants, and be under stress, anxious, or in pain.

It is important that patients are aware of all the pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic methods that can help control their disease state. Because hypertension is usually a symtomless disease, “how the patient feels” does not reflect the blood pressure level. In fact, the patient may actually report “feeling normal” with an elevated blood pressure and “abnormal” during a hypertensive episode because of the lightheadedness associated with a sudden drop in blood pressure. Because hypertension requires lifelong treatment, it is very important that patients take their medication routinely as prescribed and keep all medical appointments with their physicians. Prolong untreated hypertension, known as the “silent killer” can affect the heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes.

Ask your friendly pharmacists at Fobi Comprehensive Pharmacy @ 1-866-376-FOBI or your Health Care Professional about the correct home blood pressure monitoring kit. Take care of yourself. Take care of your family.