5 Strategies for Lowering Your Blood Pressure
Understanding Blood Pressure ReadingsThe only way to know whether or not you have high blood pressure it to have it checked by a health professional with a blood pressure cuff. As explained by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a blood pressure reading is expressed as two numbers. The top number, or systolic pressure, represents the pressure when the heart is beating. The bottom number, or diastolic pressure, represents the pressure when the heart is resting. A blood pressure reading is considered normal if it stays at or below 120/80. People with a systolic blood pressure of 120 to 139 or a diastolic blood pressure of 80 to 89 are considered pre-hypertensive. Systolic blood pressure that is consistently 140 or higher or diastolic pressure that is consistently 90 or higher is considered to be high blood pressure. Lowering Your Blood PressureAlthough many people require medications to control hypertension, certain lifestyle changes can help lower high blood pressure, especially if you are in the pre-hypertensive range. If you are concerned about your blood pressure readings, these strategies may help lower your blood pressure:
The superior cardiac program at Blake Medical Center’s Heart Institute is comprised of talented cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and other skilled cardiac professionals. You can learn more about the comprehensive services we offer online or you can use our Consult-A-Nurse service at 1-888-359-3552. Related Posts: What an Irregular Heartbeat Might Mean Protect Your Heart from the Heat
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February is American Heart Month, the perfect time to learn about high blood pressure. High blood pressure, or pulmonary hypertension, is one of the leading causes of heart disease. High blood pressure makes it harder for the heart to pump blood, making it work harder. Over time, the heart weakens and cannot do its job properly.
What an Irregular Heartbeat Might Mean
What Is a Regular Heartbeat?
What Is an Irregular Heartbeat? Types of Arrhythmias
Arrhythmias can be treated with medications, but a pacemaker may be necessary to correct the improper signaling. Blake Medical Center’s Heart Institute has received several national distinctions in heart care, including Accreditation as a Chest Pain Center with PCI by the Society of Chest Pain Centers, AMI Certification by the Joint Commission, Top 100 Cardiovascular Hospitals by Thomson Reuters and Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Distinction in Cardiac Care. Visit us online for a virtual tour of the Heart Institute or contact us at (941) 798-2121.
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Be still my beating heart! Hopefully, an elevated heartbeat means that you’re exercising, excited or falling in love. However, if you have an irregular heartbeat, it may be a serious medical condition.
After Heart SurgeryHaving heart surgery can be a call for change, but afterward patients often wonder just what they should do. Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised, individualized plan that involves education and exercise. It’s created to help a heart patient recover, as well as reduce the risk of future heart complications. 1. The first step in cardiac rehab is a medical evaluation. Doctors and other healthcare professionals gather information to determine a patient’s individual limitations and set specific goals. They map out a recovery plan, including how and when a patient gets started, expected progress over time, realistic goals, and maintenance guidelines.
2. Education is crucial in recovery and a key component of cardiac rehab. A patient will learn about factors that increase the risk of heart problems, and get help making lifestyle changes. A patient may work with a counselor to figure out how to stop smoking and/or talk to a registered dietitian to learn how to eat a heart-healthy diet. 4. Support is another important part of recovery. Counseling is often helpful and can provide a patient with tools for coping with his or her condition, adjusting to changes at work or home, dealing with stress, battling depression, and making healthy habits part of an everyday routine. Cardiac rehabilitation is not only about recovering after heart surgery, but also about making lifelong changes to improve health and quality of life for years to come. For more information about cardiac procedures and recovery, visit the Heart Institute at Blake Medical Center. Visit us online or call Consult-A-Nurse® at 1-888-359-3552 for questions and physician referrals. Serving Bradenton and surround Manatee and Sarasota Counties, we’re here to protect your heart.
Sources: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
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Heart Health Diagnostic TestsFebruary is American Heart Month. How healthy is your heart? If you have cardiac issues or want to get checked out, Blake Medical Center offers a number of diagnostic tests that can help. Noninvasive A noninvasive test is one that doesn’t involve inserting tubes, needles, or fluids in your body. · Electrocardiogram (EKG): This test records the electrical activity of your heart. It can monitor changes in your heart rhythm or detect if a heart attack as occurred. · Chest x-ray: This type of x-ray produces an image of your heart, lungs, and bones in your chest. It can help your doctor see if your heart is enlarged or if fluid is collecting in your chest. · Computerized tomography (CT): CT scans use x-rays and computer-aided techniques to produce multiple images of your heart. This test can look for problems such as aortic disease and cardiac masses. · Stress test: While you walk on a treadmill, electrodes monitor your heart function, including your blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing. This test can help diagnose various heart-related problems. Invasive An invasive test is one that requires a needle, tube, scope, or other device being inserted your body. · Angiogram: During this specialized x-ray, dye is injected into your blood vessels through a catheter. This test helps your doctor evaluate muscle heart function, measure blood pressure within the heart, and view your arteries and see where they are blocked, · Nuclear stress test: During this type of stress test, you will have a radioactive substance called thallium injected into your bloodstream. Then images are taken as you reach your maximum exercise level. This test helps measure blood flow and checks for artery blockage. It can also help detect damage from a heart attack. · Blood test: A simple blood test can check for the levels of cardiac enzymes that are present in your bloodstream. The test helps determine if a heart attack has occurred and can help predict the risk for future heart-related problems. To learn more about diagnostic testing, contact Blake Medical Center. Visit us online or call Consult-A-Nurse® at 1-888-359-3552. Serving Bradenton and surrounding Manatee County, we want to help protect your heart health. Sources:
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Be Smart for Your HeartIt’s only about the size of a fist, but as you know, your heart is a vital organ in your body. This little pump is responsible for keeping your blood moving, and each day it beats nearly 100,000 times. It does its job to keep you healthy. So you should return the favor. Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States. In fact, almost 2,000 Americans die of heart disease every day—that’s one every 44 seconds. Don’t let yourself be a statistic. There are some simple steps you can take to keep your heart in tip-top shape. Stop Smoking Smoking has been linked to the development of atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of fatty substances in the arteries. This condition leads to heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. Talk to your doctor about the best way to quit smoking. And if you don’t smoke, don’t start! Also, if you are exposed to secondhand smoke, try to alter your environment to change that. Get Moving If you’re like most people, you are completely overscheduled and can barely find any time for yourself each day. But no matter what your schedule is like, it’s important to carve out time to exercise. Most experts suggest you exercise most days of the week for at least 30 or 45 minutes each time. You’ll find that regular activity will lower your blood pressure, help you maintain a healthy weight, give you more energy, and improve your mood. That’s a welcome change for your stressed-out day. Eat Right There are certain foods that can be beneficial for your heart health, so try to make these your staples:
Overall, try to limit your intake of salt and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, and aim to eat less than 300 milligrams of cholesterol each day. Also if you choose to drink alcohol, women should have no more than one drink a day, and men should have no more than two. Watch Your Blood Pressure Did you know that high blood pressure affects one in every three adults? This condition can lead to blood clots, hardened arteries, and ultimately stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure. Sometimes called “the silent killer,” high blood pressure has no symptoms, so often it goes untreated. Be sure to have your blood pressure checked and take steps to lower your numbers if needed. Shoot for a reading of 120/80 or less. Keep Cholesterol in Control There is good cholesterol (HDL) and bad cholesterol (LDL), and the bad kind can clog arteries, which leads to heart attack and stroke. Some cholesterol is produced by your body, and some comes from the foods you eat. Your combined cholesterol reading should be 200 or less. To keep your LDL number down, be sure to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and other healthy choices. Your doctor can prescribe medication if necessary. Maintain a Healthy Weight As you probably know, obesity has become a major health issue, and it’s especially problematic if you carry extra weight around your waist. Extra pounds can lead to high blood pressure, which can result in heart disease and stroke. Talk to your doctor about a nutrition and exercise plan that will help you get to a healthy weight and stay there. Check for Diabetes They might not seem related, but diabetes and heart disease can go hand-in-hand. A diabetic person who also is overweight or has blood pressure is at increased risk for heart attack and stroke. Discuss this issue with your doctor to see if you should be tested. Want to know more? On September 16, Blake Medical Center will be hosting a Heart Smart event. For details or to register, call Consult-A-Nurse® at 1-888-359-3552. And for further information about keeping your heart healthy, contact the Heart Institute at Blake Medical Center. We’re here to answer all your questions. |