High Blood Pressure Monitors

Using a high blood pressure monitor at home can be very useful and can help you to feel more in control of your condition. It can also help you to understand more about your high blood pressure, what affects it and how it changes. It is not appropriate for everyone, however, and you should think carefully before buying a high blood pressure monitor. Is measuring at home likely to reassure or worry you? If you would like to monitor your blood pressure at home, you are likely to need the support of your doctor or nurse. Many will be supportive of their patients taking more control of their health, but some may be resistant. If this is the case, talk to your health professional about their reasons for concern, and try gentle persuasion and persistence! At the end of the day it is your decision, so use a high blood pressure monitor.

Causes of High Blood Pressure

The cause of high blood pressure is largely unknown, although there are certain risk factors that increase an individual’s chance for developing high blood pressure:

Heredity
Race (African Americans are more likely to develop high blood pressure)
Males (men have a greater chance of developing high blood pressure than women until age 55. However, at over the age of 75, women are more likely to develop high blood pressure than men).
Sodium sensitivity (salt)
Obesity and overweight
Heavy alcohol consumption
Sedentary lifestyle
Diabetics or individuals with gout or kidney disease
Heredity (individuals whose parents had/have high blood pressure are more at risk)
Age (the older people get, the more prone to high blood pressure)
Some medications (always tell your doctor about every medication you are taking – some medications increase blood pressure, others may interfere with the effectiveness of antihypertensive drugs)

Treating High Blood Pressure

If you have high blood pressure, there is a great deal you can do to reduce it. You and your doctor can determine the most effective treatment for you. Treatment may include a low-fat, low-salt diet, losing weight, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake, and getting more exercise. In addition, many medications can be used to reduce and control your high blood pressure. With effective monitoring and treatment, you can help control your blood pressure and reduce your risk of stroke, kidney and heart failure and heart attack.