Dee-Dee Patrick, MS, RN, President, Nurses Group of PebbleCreek
Your blood pressure is a major contributor to your overall heart health. It is important to have it monitored more frequently as we age and know what our numbers are. High blood pressure (hypertension) is a condition in which the force of the blood against the artery walls is consistently too high. Many people live with high blood pressure without even knowing it. More than likely, you will not experience symptoms that it is elevated. That is why it is often referred to as the “silent killer.”
Having high blood pressure decreases the flow of blood and oxygen to your heart. This can lead to a host of serious problems including chest pains, heart attacks, and even heart failure. Elevated blood pressure can also restrict the flow of blood to the brain raising the risk for stroke and dementia.
A clear link also exists between having high blood pressure and developing chronic kidney disease. You may face an especially high risk of kidney disease if you have high blood pressure and are also diabetic.
But you can make a few lifestyle changes to get your blood pressure under control. Regular exercise, abstaining from smoking, limiting alcohol, eating right (low fat/low salt diet), keeping stress levels manageable, and avoiding obesity are all important steps toward lowering your blood pressure. Sometimes your physician will prescribe a medication to help reduce your blood pressure. It is important that you take the medication exactly as ordered by your healthcare provider.
If you are unsure about your blood pressure numbers (BP), you can drop into the free Blood Pressure Clinic held every Thursday afternoon between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. and have your BP checked. The location is Room 100 in the Activity Center Complex, directly across from the Activity Center Office. This complimentary clinic is offered to all PebbleCreek residents by the Nurses Group of PebbleCreek.
While you are there, pick up some of the literature available that will teach you about heart health, hypertension, and general cardiac information. You are welcome to bring your own blood pressure monitor, if you have one, so it can be compared to the electronic calibrated unit we use in the clinic. Our unit is calibrated annually at Banner Estrella Medical Center, and we vouch for its accuracy. You will be provided with a card indicating what your BP and pulse were measured at during your visit to share with your cardiologist or primary care provider. No appointment is necessary.