Why does the doctor check my Blood pressure every time I go to his/ her office? Is it really that important?
Yes. It is.
One of the main causes of death in America is still heart disease and there are five things that increase your risk for it 1. High blood pressure 2. Family history of heart disease (a first degree relative with a heart attack or stroke male in their 40s or female in their 50s) 3. Diabetes 4. Smoking, and 5. High cholesterol. Since you cannot change your family history the doctor wants to work hard at controlling the rest.
What should your blood pressure be? Blood pressure should be ideally 120/80 or below. However, you doctor will not treat you unless it is over 140/90 on 2 readings 2 weeks apart. Initially things you can do to work on getting the BP lower are cutting salt down in your diet. To do this read nutrition labels looking for sodium. Try to keep daily totals at less than 1500 mg a day if you have high BP. Stay active physically. If you are overweight, lose weight. If you are stressed, work on stress reduction. However, if BP remain high, despite working on all of this or if BP is really high to start with, medication may be needed.
There are several different types of medication used for high blood pressure. What is important is to make sure your doctor discusses side effects with you and you discuss any concerns you have with your doctor before you leave the office. If you have problems with the medication follow up with the doctor as there are many other choices. Do not just stop a medication and not go back.
Follow up is very important as well since worsening BP can be a sign of underlying heart problems that need further work up. Make sure to keep follow up appointments and stay on medications to avoid preventable heart damage.
You can change your future. When you and your doctor work together, you and your heart can have a long healthy life.