Take Control of Your High Blood Pressure!

February is known as American Heart Month. In recognition of this month, our team of in-home care providers at Qualicare Big Sky wants to offer you tips on how you can improve your heart health, starting with how to take control of your blood pressure.

Understanding High Blood Pressure

More than 75 million Americans suffer from high blood pressure, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. High blood pressure occurs when the blood is moving more forcefully through the blood vessels than it needs to be.

Most of the time, there are no symptoms associated with high blood pressure, which is why it’s often called a silent killer. It’s important to have your blood pressure checked regularly, at least as part of an annual checkup.

If your blood pressure is extremely high, you may experience:

• Blood in urine
• Chest pain
• Confusion
• Difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Irregular heartbeat
• Pounding in your chest, neck and/or ears
• Severe headache
• Vision problems

Control Your Blood Pressure Levels

A number of factors can place you at a higher risk of developing high blood pressure, which in turn puts you at risk of a heart attack or stroke. While some factors, like your age and race, cannot be changed, healthy habits can help decrease your risk in many cases.

Take steps to protect your health by:

• Cutting back on caffeine
• Eating potassium-rich foods
• Exercising regularly
• Losing weight
• Managing your stress
• Reducing your sodium intake

If your loved one is suffering from high blood pressure, our team of in-home care providers can help make sure he or she takes the medication prescribed for high blood pressure, as well as takes the steps necessary to lower blood pressure.

Are you looking for quality in-home care for your loved one? Contact the in-home care providers at Qualicare Big Sky today to learn how we can help your family!