Keeping a close watch on your loved one’s health: hypertension

Hypertension occurs when the force exerted by the blood on the wall of the arteries is too high. While it presents no symptoms most of the time, this illness significantly increases a person’s risk for heart disease, strokes and kidney failure. That’s why controlling it is so important. The easiest way to do so is to monitor it closely.

But how do you monitor a person’s blood pressure? If your loved one has been diagnosed with hypertension, there are two management measures that are especially important:

• Watch their intake of sodium, a substance found in salt, among other foods, which can increase blood pressure.
• Take their blood pressure at home on a regular basis in order to get an accurate picture of the degree of hypertension and ensure the effectiveness of the treatment being followed.

To ensure an accurate blood pressure reading, there are a few precautions that should be followed beforehand:

• Refrain from smoking for 30 minutes;
• Sit calmly for at least five minutes;
• Empty your bladder;
• Do not wear clothing that constricts the arm;
• Avoid caffeine one hour before.

The Uniprix health journal is an effective tool for tracking your loved one’s blood pressure. It features, among other things:

• A booklet to record the results of the at-home blood pressure readings;
• Information on sodium intake for people with hypertension; it also includes a guide to better understand the nutrition facts on food labels;
• Nutritional information for people with hypertension and a summary of the Canada Food Guide;
• An explanation of the Drug Caution Code.

The Uniprix health journal is available at Uniprix Group affiliated pharmacists at a cost of $3.

Uniprix has also prepared two comprehensive health pamphlets on hypertension. You can download them at http://www.uniprix.com/bienvenue/sante/guides.php or ask for them at a Uniprix Group affiliated pharmacy.

You should also note that if your loved one is taking medication to lower his blood pressure, he should avoid over-the-counter medications bearing the letter “B” based on the Drug Caution Code. To learn more about this Code, download the December 2008 Uniprix Health News bulletin or talk to your pharmacist.

Marie-Soleil Beaulieu
Uniprix-affiliated pharmacist
marie-soleil.beaulieu@uniprix.com

Coming next month:
Home care: venous insufficiency.