Blood Pressure Control Begins With Accurate Measurement,

High blood pressure occurs in about half of American adults, and you may not know that you have it until you experience complications, such as heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, loss of vision, or sexual problems. In addition, high blood pressure can contribute to the severe side effects of COVID-19, according to the American Heart Association. “The best way to know if you have high blood pressure is to look at it. Your blood pressure check is a health professional at least once a year and regular monitoring of your home and discussing your numbers and a healthy lifestyle plan with a doctor is a great way to control your blood pressure,” said Willie Lawrence, MD cardiologist, and specialist. of American Heart Association volunteers. accurately measure: Whether you are measuring your blood pressure at home or limited to a doctor’s office or elsewhere, here are some important things to do to learn more accurately: –

Be prepared. Don’t smoke, take caffeine, or exercise within 30 minutes to check your blood pressure. Remove the bladder, resting quietly for at least five minutes before measuring. Sit upright on a sturdy back. Lay your feet on the floor and untie your legs. Your arm should be flat and your upper arm at the level of your heart. Place the bottom of the cauldron just above the elbow bend directly on your skin, not over the clothes. – Yes. Take your blood pressure level at about the same time each day. Take two or three readings in less than a minute and record the results on a piece of paper. Some blood pressure monitors will keep the results or allow you to upload them to a secure website. Share your results with your doctor.

Know the meaning of your numbers In most cases, your normal blood pressure is 120/80 or less. If you have a consistently high reading rate of 130/80, that is considered high blood pressure. Reading 180/11 or more can be a problem! Wait five minutes and check it again. If it does not go down, see a doctor immediately. If you experience symptoms such as headache, weakness, blurred vision, chest pain, back pain or other health problems call 9-1-1, immediately. Don’t wait for your stress to subside. You can have a serious health problem Knowing how to reduce your risk can reduce the risk of high blood pressure by maintaining a healthy weight, physical activity, a healthy diet, reducing alcohol or not drinking, and not smoking. However, if you have high blood pressure, do not give up.

Knowing your blood pressure numbers, monitoring them regularly, taking medication as prescribed, and working with a health care professional in a system to improve blood pressure and keep it under control, can help you live a longer and healthier life. , such as churches, hairdressing and beauty salons, and community health centers are working with the American Heart Association to control blood pressure in communities and can be great places for blood pressure testing and free access to resources and information to help you live a healthier life