BLOG

04Jun 2019 by Tonya Breaux-Shropshire

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

Uncategorized
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…
Read More
29May 2019 by Tonya Breaux-Shropshire
Is Salt Bad for Blood Pressure?

Is Salt Bad for Blood Pressure?

Blog
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…
Read More
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

Blog
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…
Read More
25May 2019 by Tonya Breaux-Shropshire

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

Blog
"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…
Read More
24May 2019 by Tonya Breaux-Shropshire
Severely High Blood Pressure: What Treatment Should You Expect?

Severely High Blood Pressure: What Treatment Should You Expect?

Blog
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.…
Read More
23May 2019 by Tonya Breaux-Shropshire

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

Blog
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…
Read More
22May 2019 by Tonya Breaux-Shropshire

They Tell Me Joe Turner Was Here, But Now He’s Gone

Blog
They tell me Joe Turner was here but now he's gone. Joe Turner was a famous blues singer who die of congested heart failure in 1985. Prior to his death he had a stroke. He didn't have to suffer from congested heart failure and a stroke. What he probably didn't know is that he could monitor his blood pressure at home. He probably did not know that there were effective medicine that he could take that would control his blood pressure. Many antihypertensive medication are well tolerated without untoward side effects. If Joe Turner would have known these things and manage his blood pressure less than 140/90 mm Hg, he might be alive today. Then, we would still enjoy his great music today.
Read More
20May 2019 by Tonya Breaux-Shropshire
Should you Call 911 or Your Doctor for High Blood Pressure?

Should you Call 911 or Your Doctor for High Blood Pressure?

Blog
Should you call 911 or your doctor for high blood pressure? Knowing what to do and when to do it is very important, especially if you have a high blood pressure emergency or urgency. Not trying to scare you, but high blood pressure (hypertension) emergency or urgency are serious. Both are associated with serious illness and possible death. Nevertheless, there is some caution to consider to avoid lowering your blood pressure down too fast. Doing this could decrease blood flow to vital organs (i.e., eyes, heart, kidney, and liver). You should always ask your health care provider for advice about when to contact 911 versus your doctor's office. That said, generally, where to call depends on several factors. Some major factors to consider are your health history, blood pressure severity,…
Read More
The opinions expressed are meant for educational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Consult your doctor or health provider for medical advice. The views expressed in this blog are my own and not those of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Veterans Affairs, or any other entity. I have an anti-spam policy and would never share your personal information. This site contains affiliate links for some products I recommend that I know are useful. If you purchase those products, I may earn a small commission at zero extra cost to you. Thanks in advance for your support!
error

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)