Page 20 - Florida Sentinel 10-21-22

Health
If you have high blood pressure, you’re probably concerned about getting it under control. And you should be.
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease (the leading cause of death) and stroke (the fourth leading cause of death) and contributes to over 1,100 deaths per day.
The more striking aspect
is most of these deaths are
preventable. We have effec-
tive and inexpensive treat-
ments for high blood
pressure, yet less than 44%
with high blood pressure.
If you’re interested in tak- ing control of your blood pressure, there are three new medical literature findings that you should know about.
It’s important to monitor your blood pressure at home.
Most people think the most accurate blood pressure is the one taken in the office. But research in recent years has shown that office blood
pressures are often not accu- rate. Studies show up to 65% of office blood pressures are not correct. Other research has shown that home blood pressure measurements may be a better predictor of risk than office measurements and that monitoring at home lowers blood pressure and improves control.
Several expert blood pressure guidelines now en- dorse home blood pressure monitoring based on this in- formation. Home blood pres- sure monitoring is now being
recommended and empha- sized that the best way to take your blood pressure is to sit quietly for 5 minutes first.
cent research suggests that taking blood pressure med- ications at night does a bet- ter job of lowering blood pressure and, more impor- tantly, may reduce the risk of death, heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. The one caution is if you take a blood pressure medication that is a diuretic or water pill, it may still be better to take it in the
3morning to avoid having to go to the bathroom at night.
If your blood pressure has been difficult to con- trol, ask your doc- tor whether there
may be a hormone prob- lem.
We have known for a long time that one of the causes of high blood pressure is an el- evation in the hormone al- dosterone. This was thought to be rare. Recent research, though, suggests that high al- dosterone levels may be a more frequent cause of high blood pressure than we thought. One paper demon- strated up to 20% of people with hard-to-treat high blood pressure may have high al- dosterone levels, although only about 1 in 1,000 people are actually tested.
You have the power to take charge of your blood pressure. Lifestyle changes such as exercising regularly, eating nutritious food, avoid- ing excess alcohol and salt, and getting down to a healthy weight may be as ef- fective (or more!) than any medication. In addition to lifestyle change, talk to your doctor to see if you should monitor your blood pressure at home, take your medicines at night, and possibly be tested for high aldosterone levels.
of high blood pressure cases 1
2
are controlled.
TIPS TO LOWER YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE
It may be bet- ter to take your blood pressure medications at night.
In the past, it has been reasoned that blood pressure is higher during the day, so it would be better to take blood pressure medications in the morning. However, more re-
The devastating effect on our health and length of life of uncontrolled high blood pressure is unacceptable and led the U.S. Surgeon General to release a Call to Action to Control Hypertension to help improve the health of people
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