High Blood Pressure

As we age, our doctors tell us to stay active and keep a healthy lifestyle. They take our blood pressure, recite a few numbers, and possibly talk about how to change the number. But what do those numbers mean?

Research published online Monday in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds that taking a daily multivitamin offers no more protection against heart attack, stroke or death from cardiovascular disease than taking a daily placebo pill.  The study was based on the Physicians' Health Study II (PHS II), a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that began in 1997 and ran through June 1, 2011. It included 14,641 male physicians (754 with a history of cardiovascular disease) who were 50 years or older at the start of the study. About half (7,317) of the men were randomly assigned to take a daily Centrum multivitamin; the other half (7,324) were assigned to take placebo pills.

Measuring your progress is the best way to stay on track whether you're reducing body fat, tracking your cholesterol, testing your eyesight or monitoring your heart rate.  AllegroMedical.com has a fantastic selection of the latest diagnostic products for home or professional use.

It's a shame we can't feel our blood pressure.  It's an even bigger shame when someone suffers a stroke, develops heart disease or flat out dies simply because they were unaware of their high blood pressure.  If you rarely get your blood pressure tested, or test only at doctor visits, you may be missing the bigger picture. 

Is your knee bothering you?  How about your thumb?  Perhaps you are having difficulties with your head . . . or maybe you want to know what your heart is doing.  Whatever the case we may have something to fix it, lift it, bandage it, monitor it or save it.

You may have high blood pressure and not even know it.  After all, you can't feel your blood pressure even when it is too high.  That's why it is called the silent killer.  How do you know what your blood pressure is?  If you get regular check-ups you probably have an idea of your BP range but it can change quickly and without warning.  We recommend that everyone have access to an accurate home monitor to check for high blood pressure at home.  

Happy Heart Month!  What a blessing that just a few simple changes in your lifestyle can improve your chances of living a longer, healthier life.  The beauty is, anyone can make these changes, the steps are not expensive and even modest improvements will make a big difference.  

Whether you're trying to track your cholesterol, reduce your body fat, test your eyesight or monitor your heart rate, AllegroMedical.com has a slew of diagnostic products to help you report your stats.

Blood pressure is simply the force exerted against your arteries when your heart beats (systolic pressure), and when it is at rest (diastolic pressure).  It is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and a reading of more than 140 over 80 (140/80)  is defined as hyptertension or 'high blood pressure'. 

I wish I could say exactly how it happened but after four years on Diovan - which had been keeping my blood pressure at right around 120/80 - my BP dropped so low my doc took me completely off of it.   This morning, after not taking the medication for nearly two weeks, my BP was 117/72.  PERFECT!!  Last night before I went to bed it was 118/73.  I test it with the Omron Portable Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor, which has been checked by my doctor to be accurate when compared with the one in her office.