[ad_1]
According to Raimondas Truncė, a pharmacist at Gintarinės vaistinė, it happens that people come to the pharmacy feeling bad, and when they offer to measure their blood pressure, it turns out that it is higher than normal.
“Therefore, it is often necessary to advise patients to monitor their blood pressure more closely or to consult a family doctor. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for all cardiovascular disease, and in the long term it can also start to damage the brain or kidneys. That is why stroke and heart attack are the most common consequences of untreated long-term high blood pressure ”, warns the pharmacist.
Bad not only too high but also too low
She notes that it’s important for everyone to know your blood pressure and that it changes slightly with age. “The blood pressure measurement actually shows two readings: systolic, known as ‘upper’ and diastolic, known as ‘lower’, the blood pressure, as well as the pulse rate, the rate of heart beats per minute.
The optimal mean arterial pressure in an adult is 120/80. These limits can vary with age; For example, children ages 6 to 13 have an optimal blood pressure of 105/70 and people ages 60 to 64 also have a normal blood pressure of 134/87. Elevated blood pressure is considered when the systolic blood pressure is equal to or greater than 135 mmHg and the diastolic blood pressure is 85 mmHg ”, says R. Truncė.
In case of high or decreased blood pressure, it is recommended to measure and monitor it for about a week, at similar times and conditions every day. It is advisable to consult your family physician for further medical examination and possible medication if the readings remain the same.
“In practice, readings of more than 200 mmHg from a blood pressure monitor have been observed. We always offer such a patient to sit down first, ask him if he has taken any antihypertensive medications, what other medications are he taking, what symptoms are he experiencing. state of the patient in 5-10 minutes. If they do not improve, they have had to call an ambulance, “said the pharmacist.
Although low blood pressure is a less common condition than high blood pressure, it should not be taken for granted, as low blood pressure reduces venous activity and slows blood circulation. Symptoms such as drowsiness, cold extremities, dizziness, pale face, fainting, general tiredness, and loss of ability to work suggest suspected low blood pressure.
How and how to measure blood pressure
For hypertension, your pharmacist will recommend that you measure your blood pressure at least once a day, preferably twice in the morning and in the evening. Dual measurement allows more precise control of whether the prescribed treatment is effective and whether the blood pressure is stable with the medication. Blood pressure should be measured in the morning before breakfast and medication, in the evening before going to bed, and in the evening.
She says that people often find that secondary factors are not important in measuring blood pressure, but that is not true. “If we want the data to be accurate, it is not possible to measure blood pressure during arousal or stress, as well as after exercise. Do not drink coffee, alcohol or smoke for at least half an hour before the measurement. All of these things can significantly raise your blood pressure, so your readings will be inaccurate, “explains the pharmacist.
According to R. Truncė, the measurement technique itself is very important. First of all, you need to sit comfortably, with your back straight, resting on the floor with your feet full. Under no circumstances should you keep your legs crossed or stacked one on top of the other. You cannot speak during measurement. The cuff should be placed 2-3 cm higher than the arch of the arm, the arm should be at the level of the heart.
The cuff should not be too tight and one finger should fit freely between it and the hand. After this preparation and breathing for a couple of minutes, the measurement can be started. Because blood pressure is constantly changing, it is recommended that you take at least two measurements in a row, with a one minute break in between, to obtain a more accurate average.
For daily home blood pressure measurement, it is suggested to choose an upper arm blood pressure monitor because its accuracy is the highest. There are already devices that measure blood pressure three times in a row and display the most accurate average, as well as smart devices that can capture an impending myocardial infarction.
Wrist devices are often fascinated by patients, but are not recommended by the pharmacist for constant monitoring of hypertension, because they are very sensitive to movement, making it quite difficult to obtain accurate results. Such devices can be present in the car or at work, so that control measurements can be made in the event of a disorder associated with an increase or decrease in blood pressure.
Salt increases blood pressure
According to her, hypertension is divided into primary and secondary depending on the cause. 90 percent. people suffer from primary hypertension, the cause of which is unclear, and the remaining 10 percent. you have secondary hypertension, which is usually caused by hypertension caused by comorbidities such as hormonal, neurological, or kidney disorders.
High blood pressure is usually reported by the most common symptoms: dizziness and often pain, pressure in the back of the neck or on the incisors, and frequent urination. However, sometimes a person may not feel any symptoms and only learn about high blood pressure by visiting a doctor.
According to the pharmacist, hypertension is easier to control with medications prescribed by doctors, but it can also be controlled in other ways. “Regular and moderate physical activity and weight control are important – overweight people usually always complain of high blood pressure.
No less important is nutrition. The increase in blood pressure can be influenced by high salt intake, so it is advisable to season salt and spices in moderation. Herbal teas that regulate blood pressure, such as dill fruit tea, can help, ”advises R. Truncė in a press release.
[ad_2]
