If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with high blood pressure, learning how to manage your condition is essential for good health. After all, you’ve probably heard that high blood pressure (also called hypertension) is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and vision problems. The Visiting Nurse Service of New York can help you better understand high blood pressure, which affects one in three adults in the U.S., and monitor your condition at home so you can get it under control and improve your health.

Understanding High Blood Pressure

“Blood pressure” is the force of your blood against the walls of your arteries when your heart beats (systolic pressure) and when it rests between beats (diastolic pressure). Blood pressure is necessary because it, along with your beating heart, keeps your blood circulating through the body, so it can provide your organs and tissues with the oxygen and nutrients they need. However, blood pressure that is high can be harmful because it makes the heart work too hard. Hardening of the arteries and thickening of the artery walls contribute to high blood pressure, though it can also be caused by other health problems.

While you can’t change a family history of hypertension, you can control other risk factors, such as being overweight or sedentary, smoking, consuming too much salt or alcohol, and letting stress get the upper hand on you. Your doctor will suggest lifestyle modifications and prescribe medications to lower your blood pressure. VNSNY can help you stick to your treatment plan, so you can obtain the greatest health benefits.

How VNSNY Can Help

Our professional staff can help you follow your doctor’s recommendations and learn to manage your blood pressure at home. Our services include:

• Teaching you to use a home blood pressure monitor and keep an effective log of the results so you can track changes in your blood pressure from day to day
• Helping you to make necessary lifestyle changes, like following a low-sodium diet, getting moderate exercise and quitting smoking
• Helping you to take medications properly and monitoring their effects
• Helping you to recognize the signs and symptoms that should prompt you to seek emergency care