Health The development of modern technology for both home and office monitoring has advanced markedly over recent years. Automated electronic digital devices in most doctors’ offices allow for a series of undisturbed recordings over a short period of time, taking the average results to more accurately record blood pressure. In the home, digital devices have allowed us to record our pressures at various times during the day in a more relaxed atmosphere. Many devices permit the device to record and save repeated readings from two persons, allowing the physician to make better-informed decisions regarding treatment. For snowbirds in particular, owning one of these devices to use when away from home for long periods not only allows one to detect unusually high levels requiring urgent attention, it’s also a valuable asset to proper management by your doctor once you return home. The most accurate type of home device is one that digitally measures your upper arm pressures. Those with large arms may need the larger-sized cuff to achieve accuracy. Ask the pharmacist. Wrist cuffs are a little less accurate, but are user-friendly and useful for travellers. Both methods require diligence in following enclosed directions as there are factors such as positioning, eating, talking and resting that can affect the readings. With both types, be certain that you are buying a professionally recommended brand, as there are many non-certified and potentially inaccurate devices on the market. Look for a device that is certified by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, the British Hypertension Society protocol, or the International Protocol. Don’t buy one unless the pharmacist can show you where one of those approvals is documented in the instrument literature. In Canada, most Omron devices carry such approvals. Many people do not understand the importance of maintaining normal blood pressure even when elevated pressures are found.While we cannot do anything about age, ethnicity or family history, ignoring advice and suggested treatment, dropping prescribed medication and making no change in lifestyle are all too often seen by family physicians. Uncontrolled hypertension is dangerous because of the much greater risk of strokes, heart attacks, heart failure and kidney disease. Damage to blood vessels includes the increased risk of atherosclerosis which, in turn, can also cause eye damage and peripheral vascular disease (PVD). Proper treatment reduces these risks by up to 50% or more. Be diligent in following advice and taking medications as prescribed. Lifestyle changes include eating a healthy diet high in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fats, losing weight if overweight or obese, quitting smoking, moderating alcohol consumption, reducing intake of sodium (salt) and getting regular exercise. Regular aerobic exercise such as a 30-minute walk most days not only helps lower blood pressure, it also lowers cholesterol levels, reduces the risk or helps control High blood pressure is slightly more prevalent in women. The more you weigh the more blood you need to supply oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. As the volume of blood circulated through your blood vessels increases, so does the pressure on your artery walls. People who are inactive tend to have higher heart rates. Not only does smoking or chewing tobacco immediately raise your blood pressure temporarily, but the chemicals in tobacco can damage the lining of your artery walls. The risk of high blood pressure increases as you age. Through early middle age high blood pressure is more common in men. Women are more likely to develop high blood pressure after age 65. High blood pressure tends to run in families. High levels of stress can lead to a temporary increase in blood pressure. Too much sodium in your diet can cause your body to retain fluid, which increases blood pressure. Over time, heavy drinking can damage your heart. Having more than two drinks a day for men and more than one drink a day for women may affect your blood pressure. 48 | www.snowbirds.org
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