Just like a superhero tirelessly guards a city against harm, your heart works relentlessly, pumping blood throughout your body to ensure everything functions properly.
But, just like a superhero, your heart can overexert itself, leading to high blood pressure.
Regular monitoring of your blood pressure is like keeping an eye on the bad guys in your city, ensuring they don’t wreak havoc.
The Importance of Regular Blood Pressure Checks
Blood pressure measurements help assess how hard your heart is working. High readings indicate your heart is under too much strain, which can lead to significant health issues.
Monitoring your blood pressure is especially crucial for older adults and individuals with specific health conditions. Despite its importance, many people do not check their blood pressure as regularly as they should.
Researchers are exploring the reasons behind this to encourage more individuals to undertake these critical checks.
High Blood Pressure: A Hidden Threat
In a recent survey, about 60% of adult respondents reported either using medication to control their blood pressure or having health conditions that require careful blood pressure monitoring.
These conditions may include stroke history, heart disease, diabetes, or kidney disease. If left uncontrolled, high blood pressure could increase the risk of severe health issues, including heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure.
Blood Pressure Monitoring Practices
About 74% of older adults with health conditions linked to blood pressure reported having a home blood pressure monitor.
They were more likely to check their blood pressure compared to those who did not own a device. However, less than half of these individuals checked their blood pressure at least once a week, and some (19%) never used their devices at all.
Moreover, only half of those who regularly monitored their blood pressure at home shared their readings with their healthcare providers.
The Connection between Blood Pressure and Brain Health
Managing your blood pressure doesn’t just benefit your heart; it’s beneficial for your brain health too. Optimal blood pressure levels contribute to maintaining a healthy brain and preserving memory.
However, only a small percentage (13%) monitored their blood pressure with brain health in mind.
Therefore, healthcare providers must remind patients about the correlation between blood pressure control, heart health, and brain health.
Remember, as a superhero diligently patrols the city, you too must monitor your blood pressure consistently. It’s a simple, effective way to ensure both your heart and brain function optimally.
This information comes from the National Poll on Healthy Aging, funded by the AARP and Michigan Medicine.
The study surveyed many adults aged 50 to 80 about their health conditions, blood pressure, and their discussions with healthcare providers regarding blood pressure management.
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If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about cannabis linked to blood pressure reduction in older people, and red onion skin could help reduce high blood pressure.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about how to live with high blood pressure, and results showing Triclosan, a common antimicrobial in toothpaste, linked to inflammation in the gut.
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