I learned about my high blood pressure, six years ago, when one of my teeth became infected. This problem had never happened to me before – I just thought I had a toothache that hurt but would get better. The pain from my tooth did not get better – it grew worse. By the time I decided to call the dentist, it was the weekend and I couldn’t be seen until Monday.
To get something for the pain, I went to a local emergency-type medical center where I could be seen by a video connected doctor. While I waited for the doctor to come on, a nurse took my temperature and blood pressure. My blood pressure was at 185/100 or something like that – way too high. Once I was done being interviewed by the online doctor, I did get a pain killer, but also a stern recommendation to visit my primary doctor about my blood pressure.
Two things then happened: My tooth was taken care of and hasn’t bothered me since. And I got a diagnosis of High Blood Pressure after visiting my regular doctor. My doctor prescribed two common blood pressure medications for me and suggested I make some lifestyle changes.
Those lifestyle changes were in the area of better nutrition, more exercise and stress reduction. The doctor also suggested I buy a wrist blood pressure monitor as a way of seeing how the medications and lifestyle changes were working.
I did get a monitor and made changes in what I ate, exercised more and have paid more attention to what causes me stress. And my average blood pressure has gone down and is now in the good range most of the time. There are always going to be variations in the numbers, but week to week my blood pressure is normally fine. This last month my numbers have ranged from 103-121/60-75.
I routinely take my blood pressure three days a week – Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday around 9 am in the morning. I log the numbers into a journal along with the date and my heart rate so I can recognize trends. If I start seeing bad numbers I can look elsewhere to see what might be causing it. Perhaps a bad night’s sleep or a change in some prescription or bad weather, etc. I live in an area where there are forest fires and I can tell you my blood pressure was higher when the air was filled with smoke!
Another nice thing about keeping a journal is adding notes to the recorded numbers about things or situations that might be affecting my blood pressure and my health in general.
Using a wrist blood pressure monitor is pretty easy. You just strap the monitor around your wrist, the device being held in place by velcro. And then push a button to turn the instrument on. Quickly enough the machine finishes its task and reveals enough the current systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure numbers as well as a heart rate. Depending upon the monitor you use,it might provide more information. I then record the numbers along with the date and time of day in my journal and then go on with the rest of my day.
I went to Amazon to buy my blood pressure monitor. I looked for a device with four or more stars and that had a lot of positive reviews. I purchased the MMIZOO Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor, but there are many choices and, of course, drug stores and other locations where you can buy one.
I wish I had gotten a monitor much earlier in life. I think it is a very useful way to gauge or check the status of one’s general health for myself and my family.
=> And, of course, always check with your doctor about your own blood pressure and the best ways to treat it, if you do have a high blood pressure condition.
