The Importance of Monitoring Your Blood Pressure

With May being High Blood Pressure Education Month, it lends itself to the valuable opportunity to educate not only on the symptoms and effects of hypertension but also on how to properly monitor your blood pressure. Monitoring blood pressure is even more critical now that researchers have found an increase in hypertension risk factors in individuals who contracted COVID-19.

Although nearly half of all adults in the United States have high blood pressure, only one in four of these individuals have their condition under control. About 1,300 people die from high blood pressure or related causes each day. Monitoring your blood pressure is crucial to maintaining your health.

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is caused when the long-term force of blood against your artery walls is high enough that it causes health problems. Your blood pressure will increase the more blood your heart pumps, and the narrower your arteries are. Many times, high blood pressure will be asymptomatic for years. Monitoring your blood pressure can save you from an unpredicted heart attack or stroke.

Routine doctor’s appointments are the most common way to monitor your blood pressure. If you, or someone in your family, have a history of hypertension, ask your health care professional to check the blood pressure in both of your arms to check for inconsistencies. If you cannot see your doctor regularly, pharmacies or health resource fairs near you may offer free blood pressure screenings.

If you have concerns about your blood pressure or how your medications may be affecting it, feel free to contact the pharmacists at Neighbors Pharmacy.