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07Jun 2019 by Tonya Breaux-Shropshire

Save Money On Your Prescription

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Save money at the pharmacy when you buy your blood pressure prescription. The biggest secret is that you will have to ask for the discount because it will not be given to you automatically when you get your prescription filled. I asked my pharmacist why he would charge more for the same blood pressure medication if I don't ask for the $4 list. He said it had to do with some disclosure clause given by the federal government. Paying Too Much for Generic Drugs The strangest thing about it is that many pharmacies usually give the generic medication when your prescription is filled unless your doctor orders the brand name. However, they won't give you the $4 price unless you ask for it. Therefore, You will pay more for the…
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06Jun 2019 by Tonya Breaux-Shropshire

Resistant Hypertension: Can Coconut Oil Help Lower Your Hypertension?

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Coconut oil improves cardiovascular health. It increases HDL and lowers LDL. I use non-refine organic extra virgin coconut oil. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQPtw7YU44U There are good fats and bad fats. Coconut oil is considered the good fat. Research has shown that it is good for cardiovascular disease and lowering blood pressure. . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pKK4tWfYT4 Dr. Ax recommends coconut milk, but I do not recommend any type of milk but perhaps goat's milk. Resources https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180620130008.htm
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05Jun 2019 by Tonya Breaux-Shropshire
Medication Compliance: Are You Taking Your Medication?

Medication Compliance: Are You Taking Your Medication?

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Are you taking your blood pressure medication as your doctor prescribed? This has been a topic that I have been interested in since my PhD dissertation. During this work, I learned that forgetting to take blood pressure medication is a common issue with compliance or adherence, if you will. If you have missed a dose from time to time because you forgot to take your medication, you are still considered compliant with your medication. Can you skip your blood pressure medication? Medication compliance is defined as taking blood pressure medication at no less than 80% to 90 % of the time. Does this mean you can skip your medication 20 % of the time and maintain blood pressure control? Well, according to research, this is the case. However, I would…
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04Jun 2019 by Tonya Breaux-Shropshire

Do You Know How to Recognize Hypertension Urgency, Emergency, or Crisis?

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Do you know how to recognize hypertension urgency, emergency or crisis? When your blood pressure is severely elevated and you have no damage to your target organs, you may have hypertension urgency. Severely elevated blood pressure is from 160/100 to 180/110 mm Hg. However, the severity may be based on your usual blood pressure. If you have elevated blood pressure with symptoms like chest pain, back pain, headache, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting, trouble walking, or vision problems, call 911. It is also important to know the signs and symptoms of stroke and heart attack.If you have any of these symptoms, call 911. Causes of hypertension urgency, emergency or crisis The most common cause of hypertension urgency, emergency or crisis may be due to chronic uncontrolled blood pressure, pain, or missed…
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29May 2019 by Tonya Breaux-Shropshire
Is Salt Bad for Blood Pressure?

Is Salt Bad for Blood Pressure?

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Is salt bad for blood pressure? The most common answer to this question is that salt is bad for blood pressure. It causes your body to hold on to too much water in your blood vessels which could increase your blood pressure. When you have too much water in your blood vessels because salt is holding that water in your vessels, you will have an increase in your blood volume: therefore, this extra salt and water increase your blood pressure. If truth be told, there is no simple answer because the amount and type of salt would have to be considered. Many antihypertensive medications (blood pressure medications) work to reduce the amount of circulating blood or relax the blood vessels. However, a study published in 2013 reveled that salt intake…
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26May 2019 by Tonya Breaux-Shropshire
Sometimes You Just Get Lucky: Blood Pressure Control With One Medication

Sometimes You Just Get Lucky: Blood Pressure Control With One Medication

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Sometimes you just get lucky and obtain blood pressure control with one medication or a combination pill. This is lucky because the average adult needs at least 2 medications to control their blood pressure. Of course, taking 2 or more medications is not unlucky, but most people want to take the least amount of antihypertensive medication possible. However, resistant hypertension requires 3 or more antihypertensive medications and some people with hypertension that is difficulty to control (resistant hypertension) need 6 to 8 antihypertension medications. s One of the most frustrating things is to take several antihypertensive medications, and your blood pressure is still elevated. This may lead to discouragement and disbelief that medication is effective. However, no matter how much medication is needed, the most important thing is to maintain…
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25May 2019 by Tonya Breaux-Shropshire

There Are Only Two Ways To Fail: QUITTING OR NOT STARTING AT ALL

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"There are only two ways to fail: QUITTING OR NOT STARTING AT ALL" Don't take your health for granted: monitor your blood pressure daily at home using an accurate blood pressure monitor. Start today and don't quit. Being healthy will be the byproduct of this action. The Omron brand blood pressure monitors are one of the most accurate. We use this brand in research and I have used it in our medical clinic. Omron 3 series is the least expensive, but it is equal to the Omron 10 series except for the additional features of more memory, blue tube capabilities and others. https://amzn.to/2HAyh61 The target goal blood pressure for the average adult person is a blood pressure less than 140/90 mm Hg. You MUST know your blood pressure number at…
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24May 2019 by Tonya Breaux-Shropshire
Severely High Blood Pressure: What Treatment Should You Expect?

Severely High Blood Pressure: What Treatment Should You Expect?

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What treatment should you expect to get when you get to the emergency room or doctor's office when your blood pressure is severely elevated? You should always notify your health care provider for guidance if your blood pressure is severe, which is a systolic (top number) blood pressure of 160 mm Hg or greater. Severe blood pressure is also a diastolic (bottom number) blood pressure of 100 or more. [caption id="attachment_896" align="alignnone" width="200"] Checking blood pressure[/caption] If you cannot get in touch with your provider, you should go to the emergency room. If you do not have any symptoms, and you forgot to take your blood pressure medication, your provider might give you an option to immediately take your medication. Then, relax, and retake your blood pressure in 30 minutes.…
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23May 2019 by Tonya Breaux-Shropshire

Get 8,038 Steps A Day to Lower Your High Blood Pressure in 3 Months!

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How many steps should you walk a day to reduce your high blood pressure? One study conducted by Ashe and colleagues (2015) showed that targeting 7,000 steps, participants averaged 8038 steps at 3 months and 7,606 steps  at 6 months. Both amounts of steps were significant to lower blood pressure. I find it amazing that walking 30 minutes a day may reduce your high blood pressure; however, if your blood pressure is normal (less than 120/80 mm Hg), walking will not cause your blood pressure to become too low. About about 30 % of Americans have hypertension, but half  of them have uncontrolled blood pressure. Hypertension is not usually a problem when it is kept less than 140/90 mm Hg for the average adult or if kept less than 120/80…
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