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Last month's column addressed high blood pressure (hypertension) in general.  The American Heart Association and others have published some aids to living with hypertension since it is so common and leads to so many medical problems.  This month is a follow-up to last month's story with some of the patient check lists for dealing with high blood pressure. 
   
Ten Ways to Control Hpertension
Table 1 lists very succinctly the ten most important things you should do regarding blood pressure.  It begins with finding out and continuing to monitor your pressure and ends with making sure you protect yourself and others while you live a normal life.

 
Table 1:  Ten Ways to Control Your High Blood Pressure

1. Know your blood pressure. Have it checked regularly.
 
2. Know what your weight should be. Keep it at that level or below.
 
3. Don't use excessive salt in cooking or at meals. Avoid salty foods.
 
4. Eat a low-fat diet according to American Heart Association recommendations.
 
5. Don't smoke cigarettes or use tobacco products.
 
6. Take your medicine exactly as prescribed. Don't run out of pills even for a single day.
 
7. Keep appointments with the doctor. 
 
8. Follow your doctor's advice about exercise.
 
9. Make certain your parents, brothers, sisters and children have their blood pressure checked regularly.
 
10.  Live a normal life in every other way.
 
Some of these tips require elaboration.  For example there has been a lot of news about diets and fats.  The preponderance of information still suggests that patients with high blood pressure should avoid high fat diets and certainly avoid salt. Eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day as well as 2-4 servings of fat-free or low-fat dairy products.  Obesity leads to hypertension (and other problems) so losing weight with diet is important.  Exercise is always on every list to stay healthy.  It has been proven over and over again to be the safest, most inexpensive and one of the most potent weapons against many diseases including hypertension.  It is crucial for the patient to carefully monitor any side effects that medications cause.  Report them (even if you think they could be imaginary) because all medicines do have side effects and this is certainly true of the wide variety of anti-hypertensives.

Anti-Hypertensive Medication Checklist
Below is another table that lists important "to know" items about the medicines that one may be on to control high blood pressure.

Checklist for Taking Prescription Medication

Know these important points about any prescribed medication: 

1. Name of the medication. 
2. What it's supposed to do.
3. How often to take it.
4. How much to take.
5. How long to take it.
6. How to store it (Does the medicine need to be in a cool place?).
7.The specific time of day it should be taken.
8. What foods, drinks, other medications or activities to avoid while on the drug.
9. What results, reactions or side effects you might expect from the medication, and what to do if you have reactions or side effects   
10.  What to do in case you miss a dose. 
11. Specific side effects if you become pregnant. 
12. What to do if you get sick from something else or have to go to the hospital.

This list is self explanatory and important to follow for optimal treatment.  It is very key that you have a list of all your medicines with you at all times in case something were to cause you to be in the care of a physician who doesn't know your medical history.  Carrying the list in a purse or wallet at all times is a method to be sure you are not separated from your prescription list.  
    
Bottom Lines
Seabrookers must be responsible when it comes to knowing their blood pressure and how to live a long life with this health risk.  There are easy rules to follow to ensure our health.  They are important to patients, loved-ones and friends who have high blood pressure.

MUSCHealth.com Online Health Library Related Links:
High Blood Pressure/Hypertension

Other Online Resources  :
Medline Plus Information on Hypertenstion
The Nemours Foundation Information on Hypertension
American Heart Association

Additional Online Resources Outside MUSCHealth.com:
(MedlinePlus, is an excellent source of health information from the world's largest medical library, the National Library of Medicine. Health professionals and consumers alike can depend on it for information that is authoritative and up to date. MedlinePlus has extensive information from the National Institutes of Health and other trusted sources on over 650 diseases and conditions.)

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