Tag: Blood pressure

How to lower your blood pressure: DASH
The Centers for Disease Control offers advice on how to lower your blood pressure to avoid hypertension. DASH, the dietary approach to stop hypertension (high blood pressure), is an eating program that’s easy to implement. The goal is to consume no more than 1,500 milligrams of sodium a day.

The highest acceptable level of sodium consumption is 2,300 milligrams a day. High sodium consumption generally leads to high blood pressure, an all too common condition among Americans. High blood pressure forces the heart to work harder than it should, often leading to heart disease and stroke.

One in three adults in the U.S. –65 million people–have high blood pressure. And, even if your blood pressure is normal at 55, you have a 90 percent chance of developing high blood pressure as you age.

Too many Americans have hearts that are many years older than they are, on average seven years older! Hearts age quickly for people who are overweight as well as for people who smoke and do not exercise. You can find out the age of your heart through this Just Care post: How young is your heart?

To keep your blood pressure down, what should you do?
- Exercise for at least 20 minutes five or more days a week; to stay motivated, ask a buddy to join you on a daily walk
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Drink no more than one or two alcoholic drinks a day
- Eat healthy, including: Fruits, vegetables, low-fat milk and yogurt, fish, poultry, nuts, whole grain products
- Avoid lean red meats, foods with added sugar, processed foods
- Take your blood pressure medicine as prescribed, generally every single day. Many Americans do not, to their detriment.
And, here’s how you can check your blood pressure at home.

Here’s more from Just Care:
January 4, 2017
“Activated” people less likely to develop chronic disease
A new Commonwealth Fund study reveals that people who are better able to take care of themselves and navigate the health care system, “activated” people, are less likely to develop chronic disease. These study findings complement other recent study findings showing that having a purpose promotes better health and that having friends and not being socially isolated also fosters better health and longer life risk.

The Commonwealth Fund study found that people without good self-management skills were more at risk for chronic conditions, including depression and high blood pressure, after three years than people with good skills. They are also more likely to be hospitalized and to use emergency departments.

There are ways to help people gain confidence and take charge of their health so that they can age in place, have better health outcomes and need less health care. Just Care is piloting a new telebuddy program that will empower older adults and their designated caregivers through sharing simple health care advice during regular phone conversations. If you are interested in learning more about this program or participating in it, please email [email protected].

Here’s more from Just Care:
November 30, 2016
Cranberry juice won’t treat urinary tract infections
Did your mother ever advise you drink cranberry juice to treat a urinary tract infection(UTI)? It turns out that it doesn’t work. A new study reported in JAMA finds that cranberries and cranberry products–specifically cranberry pills–are not effective in treating or preventing UTIs. It’s time we put the old wives’ tale to bed once and for all.

Millions of Americans get UTIs each year, including between a quarter and a half of all women in nursing homes. According to the National Institutes on Health, bacteria living in the digestive tract, in the vagina, or around the urethra are the most common cause of UTIs. Symptoms include a burning sensation when you urinate and the need to urinate frequently. While most UTIs are not serious, they sometimes can lead to chronic kidney infections, which can cause permanent damage to the kidney and high blood pressure.

Researchers tested whether cranberry pills containing the equivalent of 72mg proanthocyanidins in 20 ounces of cranberry juice could cure or prevent UTIs in nursing home residents. They gave a group of 147 nursing home residents two cranberry pills a day for more than a year to see if they would prevent bacteriuria and pyuria, two conditions that are present in people with urinary tract infections. They found that the people receiving these pills had “no significant difference” in bacteriuria and pyuria from the residents who did not receive the pills. They concluded that these cranberry pills have no clinical benefit and are not cost effective.

Here’s more from Just Care:
- If you’re otherwise healthy, studies find little or no value in vitamin pills, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin B12
- More proof aspirin helps prevent heart attacks and stroke
- How to help someone you love decide when to stop driving
- Exercise may help memory and attention, and it may be your best bet for home health
- Medicare open enrollment between October 15 and December 7: Consider changing health plans
November 2, 2016
Electronic medical records or EMRs
In the third article of a multipart series on health literacy and innovation in health care, developed through the online master of public health at the George Washington University, I explain EMRs–electronic medical records– and their potential to help improve the patient experience for older adults. You can find the first article, a primer on health technology, here and the second on mHealth (mobile health), here.

An electronic medical record (EMR) refers to an electronically stored record of health-related information about a person. Many people believe that these electronic records can promote better care and patient safety, while reducing health care costs. But, many also have concerns about privacy issues.

This EMR information, which includes standard medical and clinical data, can be created, managed, and used by health care providers and their staff within a single health care practice. It is typically used to diagnose and treat patients. And, it is not easily shared with other doctors.

EMRs should not be confused with electronic health records (EHRs). EHRs feature a more comprehensive patient history that includes data collected beyond a single doctor or other health care provider’s office. EHRs tend to be shareable among different health care providers. About eighty percent of doctors use EHRs today.

EMRs provide a wealth of benefits compared to traditional paper records. In addition to eliminating the problem of lost or misplaced files, EMRs allow health care providers to efficiently:
- Schedule and manage patient appointments
- Access test results
- Monitor blood pressure readings, vaccinations, and other health parameters
- Identify patients who are due for screenings and/or preventive care visits
- Track cumulative patient data over time
- Reduce medical errors
Charting activities are expedited by EMRs as well, since physicians and mid-level providers can enter information during a patient encounter instead of hours later. This allows for the scheduling of more patients and improves accuracy of information.

Individuals like their ability to communicate with their doctors via text and email. It can reduce the need to actually visit the doctor’s office. And, they can get new prescriptions and receive medical test results online.

Despite the potential of EMRs to reduce medical errors, improve patient safety, and enhance overall quality of care, adoption in the United States has been slow. Some of the barriers to adoption include high capital cost, concerns about obsolescence, lack of skilled resources for implementation and support, and privacy and security concerns. Local and national initiatives to encourage EMR adoption have shown some promise to date.

Here’s more from Just Care:
November 1, 2016
Many older adults not taking blood pressure drugs as prescribed
A new CDC report reveals that some seven out of ten older adults have high blood pressure. And, half of them do not have their blood pressure under control. Five million older adults are not complying with their Medicare Part D blood pressure prescriptions. The risks of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and early death are serious.

Taking blood pressure drugs as directed is important to protect the heart, brain and kidneys. But, according to the CDC, one in four older adults with Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage are not doing so. Some are skipping doses. Others are not taking them at all. Underuse of drugs is associated with higher risk of death and health complications.

There are many reasons people do not comply with their blood pressure treatment regimens, including high cost, failure to fill prescriptions, assumption that they don’t need to because they don’t experience symptoms, side effects, forgetfulness and complexity.

The CDC found that four in ten older Native Americans did not take blood pressure drugs as prescribed, and almost as many African Americans (35 percent) and Hispanics (34 percent).

The CDC is encouraging people to use blood pressure monitors at home to track their blood pressure. (Just Care offers these ten tips for taking your blood pressure at home.) The CDC also suggests people take their medications while doing other routine activities such as brushing their teeth, as a way to better ensure medication compliance. Weekly pill boxes and apps also can be used as reminders of when to take medicine.

Here’s more from Just Care:
September 21, 2016
September: Healthy Aging Month
Did you know that September is Healthy Aging Month? Here are a few reminders on healthy aging for adults of any age.
1. Stay connected to friends and family. Social bonds are important for physical and mental health. In fact, frequent social interactions have been shown to promote longer life.
2. Get moving! Be physically active on a regular basis. Work in at least 150 minutes of moderately vigorous activity each week. “Moderately vigorous” can be brisk walking (at a pace of 4 miles per hour), heavy cleaning, gardening, light bicycling, or doubles tennis. Remember that any amount is better than none at all!
3. Get enough rest. Aim for at least 7 to 7.5 hours of sleep. Sleep promotes energy, alertness as well as physical and mental well-being.
4. Have an annual appointment with your primary care doctor, even if you are feeling great, find out what health screenings you are due for Know your cholesterol, body mass index, blood pressure, glucose, and A1C. Medicare considers an annual wellness visit so important for older adults that it covers the full cost. Here are some tips to prepare for your doctor’s visit.
5. Get up to date on your siblings’ and parents’ medical history. Many of us are able to report major family history regarding major diseases like cancer, stroke and heart attacks. These are important to know about, including the age at which they were diagnosed. Also make sure you are informed on family history of other conditions, such as allergies, asthma, auto-immune diseases, arthritis, osteoporosis, fractures, bleeding or clotting disorders, liver or kidney problems, migraines, dementia, skin conditions, cholesterol, diabetes or pre-diabetes, mental health, and gastrointestinal problems. This webtool from the U.S. Surgeon General may help. Share this information with your doctor and your family.
6. Watch your diet, for reasons beyond weight. Many conditions, such as blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, headaches, sleeping problems, mood, irritable bowel are substantially prevented, ameliorated and sometimes cured with dietary changes. Not sure what or how to change? Find a good nutritionist through your physician! Medicare covers nutrition counseling. A few basic points: Get 4.5 cups of vegetables per day. Limit sugar intake. Eat lots of whole grains (What is a whole grain?) Avoid trans-fats entirely (“partially hydrogenated vegetable oils”).
7. Here are some other great tips for healthy aging.
September 20, 2016
What is a silent heart attack?
Silent heart attacks occur more often than you might imagine, representing more than 45 percent of all heart attacks, according to the American Heart Association. They generally have no symptoms. The NIH reports that older adults are more likely to experience them. What is a silent heart attack?

A silent heart attack can be as serious as a heart attack. There is a blockage in the arteries keeping oxygen rich blood from flowing to the heart. As a result, the heart cells and muscle die, scars form, and the likelihood of heart failure increases. A silent heart attack can lead to additional heart attacks that can be fatal. A recent JAMA study reveals the presence of scars in the hearts of 70 percent of people who die of sudden heart attacks—people who were not known to have had heart disease.

People who have silent heart attacks may mistake them for heartburn or indigestion, or they may have muscle pain or experience nausea. EKG’s and scans that look at heart muscle and its blood flow can reveal whether you’ve had a silent heart attack.

People with high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, as well as people who smoke and who are overweight are at greatest risk.

Heart disease is the number one killer in women as well as men but often goes undetected. Talk to your doctor about whether you need a screening or an imaging test. You might also check out the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force’s recommendations on screenings. Medicare covers an annual cardiovascular screening.

Here’s a short video on silent heart attacks from the American Heart Association, GoRed4Women.org.

Here’s more from Just Care:
May 18, 2016
Learn CPR and help someone who suffers a heart attack

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApmPQDAzYyM

Watch this weird zombie video produced by the Heart and Stroke Association for a fun way to learn CPR, what to do when someone suffers a heart attack. Who knew the undead could teach you something about staying alive?

And, click here to learn about heart health. Heart disease is the number one killer in the United States, and the risk increases with age. But, you can reduce the likelihood of heart disease by controlling your blood pressure, cholesterol level and blood sugar level; and, by not smoking. To help, Medicare covers nutrition counseling, weight counseling and smoking cessation counseling.

How young is your heart? You can check through a heart age predictor from Framingham Heart Study. And, if you’re a caregiver or want to monitor your own blood pressure, here are ten tips for checking blood pressure at home.

March 21, 2016