Dealing with High Blood Pressure?

If so, you are not alone. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate half of the adults in the U.S. (47%, or 116 million) have hypertension, defined as a systolic blood pressure greater than 130 mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure greater than 80 mmHg, or are taking medication for hypertension. Experts say sometimes it can be difficult to know if a patient has HBP because of what doctors’ call “white coat hypertension,” which shows up as HBP at a doctor’s office but is otherwise normal. Others have what is referred to as “masked hypertension”, showing up normal in the office but as HBP in normal settings. Given the number of people with hypertension and the chance for inaccurate readings, doctors say monitoring your blood pressure at home is more important for many people.

That being said, professionals offer tips to help achieve a more accurate read. To start with, they recommend a traditional cuff rather than one measuring on the wrist. It should be able to wrap around the arm and have a good amount of Velcro to keep it stable. The American Medical Association has developed the US Blood Pressure Validated Device Listing to help consumers choose the most accurate devices. Another tip is to bring your device with you at least once a year to a doctor visit to compare it with in-office readings.

For the most accurate read at home, be seated and if you need, use the bathroom before you start. Sit quietly for at least five minutes and don’t drink coffee or smoke a cigarette right before reading. Sit upright in the chair with your feet on the ground and your arm relaxed and resting on a table level with your heart. Put the cuff on bare skin, keeping the bottom of the cuff right above the elbow bend. Remain relaxed with feet uncrossed.

If you are looking for the best assisted living in Houston, TX, please consider the new MorningStar at River Oaks. Our website is loaded with information including suites, care services and amenities; and led by a dedicated team who understand how to provide residents a quality of life other assisted living communities simply cannot match. As dementia care specialists, our community provides secure suites for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

Comments

MorningStar’s Luxury Senior Living in Houston

As senior living communities provide a range of benefits such as socialization, healthcare, amenities, and convenient services, it is no surprise it has become a popular lifestyle for many older adults. If your family has already started the search for senior living in Houston , you know there are many options. This may have left you wondering how to narrow down your search to find the optimal community for yourself or a loved one? Experts say the first thing to do is to find a home that provides the proper level of care. If you are a senior who needs help with the ADLs (activities of daily living), assisted living offers you the opportunity to maintain your sense of independence and get on with living your life to the fullest. In addition to 24/7 care managers, access to licensed nurses, and medication management, many assisted living communities offer services including meals, onsite amenities, scheduled transportation, housekeeping and more. They also often provide opportunitie...

Memory Care Communities Provide a Safe, Welcoming Home

If a loved one suffers from Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease, at some point, you may require professional help. The number one concern at a memory care community is to ensure the safety of the person as many of the disease’s symptoms place the person more at risk for accidents and other mishaps. Forgetfulness and confusion are some of the most recognizable signs of Alzheimer’s disease and can cause problems like forgetting to turn off a stove, getting lost in familiar areas or wandering. Other common issues in the early stages of the disease include vision/spatial issues and impaired reasoning and judgment, problem solving and difficulty in completing everyday tasks. Memory care communities are equipped to provide a safe, stable residential environment for seniors with memory impairment as well as provide meaningful activities to keep the person engaged. At most communities, the staff receives extensive training and information regarding the disease to better treat and ...

Are You Ready for a Parent’s Unexpected Hospital Stay?

While many hospital stays are planned, older adults are more likely to require an unexpected trip to the hospital. When you have the luxury of time, it is easy to get prepared with the necessary information a parent needs when admitted to the hospital. It can be a different story if the trip is sudden. Medical experts say to ensure a loved one gets the proper care, it is important to see to it that the hospital has a complete medical history. Notes and documents can be completed and gathered now then updated as health changes occur. For starters, the hospital will want a “next of kin” contact for the patient so decide beforehand who that will be. Now go through the list of medications your parents take and make sure they are all together in one location. In the event of a medical emergency, you will be able to bring all their medications with you to ensure the hospital knows the most up-to-date medications and dosages. Another thing to gather information on regards your parents’ pre-...

MorningStar Independent Living Blog

Search This Blog