Should I Have My Blood Pressure Checked At The Local Supermarket Pharmacy Or By A Doctor Or Nurse
Dr. Clyde Yancy answers the question: ‘Best Place For Blood Pressure Checks?’
Heart Disease And The Causes?
— Question: Should I Have My Blood Pressure Checked At The Local Supermarket Or Pharmacy, Or Does It Need To Be Checked By A Doctor Or Nurse?
Answer: One of the things that we are always concerned about when we talk about being proactive and exercising a preventative strategy is, “Ok, what’s this going to cost me? How much hassle is this going to be?”
One of the neat things about blood pressure is that you can get your blood pressure checked literally anywhere. You can go to a grocery store in any community in the United States and have it done. You can go to a pharmacy, a fire station, a church fair, a school fair. The point being, it is easy to get the blood pressure checked.
Now, if you have high blood pressure you really should consider investing in an inexpensive blood pressure machine that you can use at home. Why? So you can follow it yourself, and become engaged and involved in looking after your own health circumstances and being more conversant, more able to discuss with your health care providers how your blood pressure changes. It will really help motivate you as well to really be compliant, that is, to take the medicines as instructed to achieve control.
Live A Healthy Lifestyle
The most important thing you can do to be able to relax during a blood pressure test is to be confident that your blood pressure is the best that it can be. That may mean making choices such as taking medications as prescribed, following a nutritious diet high in vegetables and fruit and low in sugars and sodium, and staying physically active. On average, participants in the Lark program reduce their blood pressure significantly! That means living a longer, healthier life!
How Can I Get My Blood Pressure Checked
To test your blood pressure, a nurse or doctor will put a cuff around your upper arm. The nurse or doctor will pump the cuff with;air until it feels tight, then;slowly let it out. This takes just a few minutes.
You can find out what your blood pressure numbers are right after the test is over. If the test shows that your blood pressure is high, ask the doctor what to do next.
Blood pressure can go up and down, so its a good idea to get it checked more than once.
Can I check my blood pressure by myself?
Yes.;Many shopping malls, pharmacies, and grocery stores have blood pressure machines you can use in the store. You can also buy a home blood pressure monitor at a drug store. If the test shows that your blood pressure is high, talk to your;doctor.
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Keeping You Safe When You Visit Us
We’re working hard to make sure our pharmacists can provide services, care and advice to you safely. Here are some of the things we’re doing to keep you safe.
We politely ask you to wear a face covering if youre using one of our pharmacy services
Our colleagues will be wearing PPE
Well be limiting the time you spend with our pharmacists in our consultation room
Well clean the consultation room before and after every appointment
Checking Your Blood Pressure Yourself More Power To You Heres How To Do It Right
- Be still. Dont smoke, drink caffeinated beverages or exercise within 30 minutes before measuring your blood pressure. Use the bathroom and give yourself at least 5 minutes of rest before taking your blood pressure.
- Sit correctly. Sit with your back straight and supported . Put your feet flat on the floor and make sure your legs are not be crossed. Your arm should be supported on a flat surface with the upper arm at heart level. Make sure the bottom of the cuff is placed directly above the bend of the elbow. Check your monitors instructions for an illustration or have your healthcare provider show you how.
- Take multiple readings and record the results. Each time you measure, take two or three readings one minute apart and record the results using a printable or online tracker. If your monitor has built-in memory to store your readings, take it with you to your appointments. Some monitors may allow you to upload your readings to a secure website after you register your profile.
- Dont take the measurement over clothes.
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What Is Blood Pressure Screening & Counseling
Blood pressure screening & counseling is a service designed to screen patients who may be at risk for hypertension and other heart health conditions. During this visit, the healthcare provider will record the patient’s age, height, weight and waist circumference, as well as medical, family, and social history information. After this, the provider will take the patient’s blood pressure using an arm cuff and a blood test will be performed by obtaining a small blood sample from the patient’s finger in order to screen for other heart health conditions.
Based on the results, a healthcare provider will counsel the patient on their risk factors and recommend lifestyle changes to help the patient lead a healthier life. Further testing and evaluation may be required.
What Is A Healthy Blood Pressure Reading
Your blood pressure measures the force of the blood being pushed through your body as your heart beats.
The first number is called your systolic pressure. It measures the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart pumps. The second number is called your diastolic pressure, which measures the pressure in your blood vessels in between heartbeats.
A blood pressure reading is considered healthy if it is 120/80 millimeters of mercury or below. Any blood pressure above this is considered elevated or abnormal.
A single blood pressure reading in the higher range isnt cause for concern, but if youre regularly getting higher readings, a medical professional will make a plan to help you lower your numbers.
Elevated blood pressure categories include:
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Enter Search Terms And Tap The Search Button
Both articles and products wil. What can we help you find? Low, high and normal blood pressure readings help your doctor make the right decisions for your medical care. The force of your blood against the walls of your arteries is called your blood pressure. Specifically, it relates to the amount of force needed to move your blood filled with oxygen, antibodies and nutrients through your body to reach all your vital organs. Enter search terms and tap the search button. Review this information about t. Most of us have experienced having our blood pressure taken, as it’s standard practice in virtually every medical provider’s office, from an optometrist to a general practitioner. Knowing how to do an electrical repair like replacing a pressure switch square d can save you time, money and hassle. Follow our guide for how to check an oil pressure switch. However, only half of those actually have the condition under control. Regular home blood pressure monitoring, for people with hypertension or those who are at risk for it, is a recommended health practice that can help keep blood what can we help you find? This is done because blood pressure is the primary indicator.
Getting Your Blood Pressure Checked In Central Oregon Can Be Easy And Free
Heres how to find out what your blood pressure is, right in your community.
Blood pressure machine. From Madras to La Pine, Sisters to Prineville, there are blood pressure machines at local drugstores and grocery stores that are free to use.
- Do it yourself. Check your blood pressure yourself with a home monitor, following these easy tips below
- Healthcare providers office. Have your blood pressure checked at a healthcare providers office.
- Blood pressure clinic. Go to a free blood pressure clinic near you.
If you dont currently have a primary care provider, use one of the resources below to connect with one based on your individual health insurance:
Central Oregon Medicaid/Oregon Health Plan: 800.431.4135
Medicare A & B: 800.772.1213
Central Oregon Medicare C : 800.863.3637
Uninsured : 541.330.9001 or 541.585.9002
Private Insurance: Call the toll-free number for members on your insurance card
Blue Cross Blue Shield/Regence: 888-675-6570
Moda Health: 888-217-2363
St. Charles Employed Staff & Families : 800-918-7681
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Every September Hundreds Of Pressure Stations Across The Uk Offer Free Blood Pressure Checks In The Community
Here, you can;find your nearest free blood pressure check;by entering your post code or town in the map search box.
Want a check sooner or don’t have a Pressure Station near by? See where you can get a blood pressure check;throughout the year.;
Due to social distancing measures we wont be able to offer pressure checks in community Pressure Stations in our 2021 campaign, but we will still encourage the whole of the UK to Know Their Numbers!
When Should I Get My Blood Pressure Tested
You can ask for a blood pressure test if you’re worried about your blood pressure at any point.
You can get your blood pressure tested at a number of places, including:
- your local GP surgery
- at home
- at an;NHS Health Check appointment offered to adults in England aged 40-74
It’s recommended that all adults over 40 years of age have their blood pressure tested at least every 5 years so any potential problems can be detected early.
If you’ve already been diagnosed with high or low blood pressure, or you’re at a particularly high risk of these problems, you may need to have more frequent tests to monitor your blood pressure.
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What Does This Check Involve
We are offering free blood pressure checks to people over 40 with no appointment necessary. This involves around 10-15 minutes in the pharmacy consultation room with a trained member of the pharmacy team. Following this, you may be invited to take home a blood pressure monitor that measures your blood pressure as you go about your daily life.
Depending on your blood pressure reading you may be referred to your GP.
The pharmacy team will guide you through any necessary steps depending on your blood pressure result.
Treating High Blood Pressure With Medicines
If lifestyle changes don’t lower your blood pressure to your goal, you may need to take daily medicines as well.
Medicines controlbut usually don’t curehigh blood pressure. So you will probably need to take them for the rest of your life. Most people need to take two or more medicines.
- High Blood Pressure: Should I Take Medicine?
Some people find it hard to take their medicines properly. They may feel it’s too much troubleespecially when they don’t feel sick. Or they’re worried about side effects. Some people find it hard to keep track of when and how to take their medicines.
If you have trouble taking high blood pressure medicines for any reason, talk to your doctor.
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Read more about Tyrell and why he started taking his medicines properly. |
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How Can I Measure My Blood Pressure At Home
Talk with your health care team about regularly measuring your blood pressure at home, also called self-measured blood pressure monitoring.
SMBP means you regularly use a personal blood pressure measurement device away from a doctors office or hospitalusually at home. These blood pressure monitors are easy and safe to use. A health care team member can show you how to use one if you need help.
Evidence shows that people with high blood pressure are more likely to lower their blood pressure if they use SMBP combined with support from their health care team than if they dont use SMBP.3
Use these additional tips for SMBP:4
- Use a blood pressure log pdf icon;to record your blood pressure measurements.
- Take your blood pressure at the same time every day.
- Take at least two readings, 1 or 2 minutes apart.
How Can I Check My Blood Pressure At Home
Checking your blood pressure at home is easier than youd expect. You first need to buy the right equipment. Talk to your doctor about the best home monitors to buy to check your blood pressure. You want to make sure you get the right size cuff. Once you have your device, heres how to get started:
- Avoid tobacco, alcohol, exercise, and caffeine a half hour before you take a reading.
- Find a quiet place and sit in a comfortable chair. Rest for at least five minutes.
- Follow your monitors instruction booklet to position the cuff properly and inflate it. For manual monitors, this means squeezing the bulb. For automatic ones, its simply a press of a button.
- Check the readings. Write down the top number and the bottom number .
- Finally, establish a routine for checking your blood pressure at home. This enables you to notice trends in your numbers, which is helpful.
Feel free to share your blood pressure records with your doctor, especially if youre at a higher risk for developing heart disease.
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Wait For A Few Minutes
Waiting for a few minutes after getting in the proper position lets you rest and relax before taking your blood pressure. Lark has tips on the correct position, such as placing your arm on a flat surface with the upper arm at heart level, keeping your legs uncrossed, and sitting upright on a chair with a back.
What Can You Do To Prevent High Blood Pressure
Making lifestyle changes can help you to prevent high blood pressure. You can:
- Stay at a healthy weight or lose extra weight.
- Eat heart-healthy foods.
- Eat less salt and salty foods.
- Exercise regularly.
- Cut back on drinking. Limit alcohol to 2 drinks a day and no more than 14 drinks a week for men and 9 drinks a week for women.
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What Causes High Blood Pressure
In most cases, doctors can’t point to the exact cause. But several things are known to raise blood pressure, including being very overweight, drinking too much alcohol, having a family history of high blood pressure, eating too much salt, and getting older.
Your blood pressure may also rise if you are not very active, you don’t eat enough potassium, or you have a condition called insulin resistance.
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Because blood pressure tests are so important, and sometimes uncomfortable, they can be stressful. That is a problem because anxiety and nerves while taking these tests can raise your reading so that it is not an accurate indicator of your true heart health.
This fear of having your blood pressure checked may be caused by another factor, white coat syndrome or white coat hypertension as defined by the Mayo Clinic. This is when people in clinical situations, such as a clinic or doctors office, can experience stress from the surrounding environment. Environmental stress in turn can cause a spike in blood pressure, which can cause falsely inflate readings.
There are ways to relax during a home or even in-office blood pressure test so you can get a good reading.
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Monitor Your Blood Pressure
If your blood pressure is high, be sure to check it regularly. Here are two easy ways:
Be sure to consult your medical professional with questions about monitoring or lowering your blood pressure.
What Are The Symptoms
High blood pressure doesn’t usually cause symptoms. Most people don’t know they have it until they go to the doctor for some other reason.
Very high blood pressure can cause severe headaches and vision problems. These symptoms can also be caused by dangerously high blood pressure called malignant high blood pressure. It may also be called a hypertensive crisis or hypertensive emergency. Malignant high blood pressure is a medical emergency.
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What Increases Your Risk
Things that increase your risk for high blood pressure include:
- A family history of high blood pressure.
- Aging.
- Eating a lot of sodium .
- Drinking more than 2 alcoholic drinks a day or more than 14 drinks a week for men or 9 drinks a week for women.
- Being overweight or obese.
- Lack of exercise or physical activity.
- Race. People of African, South Asian, First Nations, Inuit or Metis;descent are more likely to get high blood pressure, often have more severe high blood pressure, and are more likely to get the condition at an earlier age than others. Why they are at greater risk is not known.
Other possible risk factors include:
- Low intake of potassium.
- Sleep apnea and sleep-disordered breathing.
- Long-term use of pain medicines like NSAIDsfor example, naproxen or ibuprofen or COX-2 inhibitors, such as celecoxib . Aspirin does not increase your risk for getting high blood pressure.