13/08/2014
Home monitoring Blood Pressure is critical
Because blood pressure can fluctuate throughout the day, home monitoring and recording of blood pressure readings can provide your healthcare provider with valuable information to determine whether you truly have HBP and, if you do, what kind of treatment plan would best suit your needs. Home monitoring can also benefit those individuals already treating HBP by assisting your doctor in determining whether your current treatment plan is working.
There is a growing body of literature that indicates that measurements taken by patients at home are often lower than readings taken in the office. Consistent home measurements also tend to be closer to the average blood pressure recorded by a 24-hour ambulatory monitor prescribed by your doctor, which most effectively predicts cardiovascular risk.
It is recommended that home blood pressure monitoring become a routine component of blood pressure management and tracking in the majority of patients with known or suspected HBP;
Measuring blood pressure at home is of value to patients with diabetes, for whom consistent and accurate blood pressure management is of utmost importance;
Other populations may also benefit from home blood pressure measurement, including pregnant women, children, and patients with kidney disease.
Who is at risk?
If one generation of a family has HBP, it is not unusual for the next generation to have similarly high blood pressure. Tracing the illnesses suffered by your parents, grandparents, and other blood relatives can help your doctor predict the disorders for which you may be at risk and take action to keep you and your family healthy.
How can I manage my HBP?
Healthy habits can help you control HBP, including6:
Following a healthy eating plan, like the "DASH diet" (see below for details)
Doing regular physical activity
Maintaining a healthy weight
Quitting smoking
Managing your stress and learning to cope with stress
The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is an eating plan that is low in saturated fat, cholesterol and total fat and emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and fat-free or low-fat milk products. While the DASH diet alone results in significant blood pressure lowering, the addition of exercise and weight loss leads to an even greater reduction. Get your Home monitor now at www.nijamall.com
