Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
DIAGNOSIS
What Is High Blood Pressure or Hypertension?
High blood pressure is a common condition in which the long-term force of the blood against your artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause health problems, such as heart disease.
Blood pressure is determined both by the amount of blood your heart pumps and the amount of resistance to blood flow in your arteries. The more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure.
What Can You do at Home for High Blood Pressure or hypertension?
- Use an in-home monitor
- Exercise regularly
- Eat a healthy diet
- Reduce sodium in your diet
- Limit the amount of alcohol you drink
- Quit smoking
- Cut back on caffeine
- Reduce your stress
How can we help our clients with High blood pressure or hypertension? Professional in-home caregivers can:
- Remind your loved one to check and record blood pressure using a home monitor, as recommended by the doctor.
- Take your loved one to the pharmacy or pick up prescriptions and provide medication reminders to encourage your loved one to take medications at the right time.
- Report possible side effects of medications, such as dizziness or sleep problems.
- Go grocery shopping and prepare delicious meals and snacks that comply with the doctor's prescribed diet.
- Support your loved one's exercise routine with encouragement, and a steadying arm to reduce the risk of falls.
- Help your loved one keep track of doctor's appointments and provide transportation to these visits.
- Provide companionship to ward off loneliness, which, is stressful enough to raise a senior's blood pressure.