HOW
here’s
your high blood pressure
Product # 489B
High blood pressure (or HBP) Check your blood pressure often. Do not wait until you feel bad. You may not feel bad until it is too late. If your blood pressure stays high for a long time, you can have a stroke, a heart attack or kidney problems.
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or call toll free: 800-241- 4925 CopyrightŠ 2020 by Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be photocopied, reprinted or otherwise reproduced without written permission from Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc. This book is written to help you learn about your high blood pressure and should NOT be used to replace any of your doctor’s advice or treatment. Published and distributed by: Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc. Printed in the U.S.A.
special notes and information
Fill in with your specific information
You can do it Choose one thing you will change this week. Next week choose one more. Keep going until you are doing all you can to help control your high blood pressure.
Take your medicine
Exercise more
Stop smoking
Try not to get stressed out
Use less salt Eat more low-fat, low-salt foods
Relax more Drink less alcohol
Drink less caffeine Eat more vegetables and fruits
Check your blood pressure each week. Write it on your blood pressure chart. Take your chart the next time you see your doctor.
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What is blood pressure Blood pressure is the force blood puts on your artery walls. Two numbers show it: Example: 120/80
Top number (systolic) = 120 This is the pressure when the heart pumps.
stretched artery
Bottom number (diastolic) = 80 This is the pressure when the heart rests between pumps.
relaxed artery
1
numbers Bottom number
Top number Best
Less than 120
and
Less than 80
Little high
120-129
and
Less than 80
High (bad)
130-139
or
80-89
Really bad
140 or more
or
90 or more
Example Systolic
110 Diastolic
67 2
My blood pressure is top number
bottom number
3
risk for hbp You can change these.
smoking not enough exercise being overweight eating a poor diet having high cholesterol eating too much salt drinking too much alcohol being stressed and not relaxing
4
Pick one to start.
My goal is to do all I can.
Do Not Smoke
One step at a time! Lose Weight
Drink Less Alcohol
Eat the Right Food
Avoid Stress and Relax
Exercise More
Take Medicines
5
do not smoke Smoke less each day until you quit.
Ask your doctor or nurse for help to stop-smoking.
6
lose weight (if overweight) exercise more eat healthy
My weight goal is
7
eat healthy Eat (and drink) less: bad fat sugar caffeine salt
Eat more: fruits vegetables
Ask your doctor or nurse about the DASH diet. 8
exercise more
Exercise helps your blood pressure. Before you start, talk to your doctor.
9
Avoid stress and relax Do not do too much. It will make your blood pressure worse.
Take some time to relax.
10
Drink less alcohol Only: ● 2 drinks a day for men ● 1 drink a day for women
Too much alcohol will make my blood pressure worse.
One drink is: ● 11/2 ounces (oz)
of 80 proof or 1 oz of 100 proof
● 5 oz of wine ● 12 oz of beer
11
take your medicine Never change the dose or stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to.
12
Blood pressure chart Take your blood pressure once a week. Write it on this chart. Show this to your doctor on your next visit.
example
Date
Time
Top Number (systolic)
8/16
1:30pm
150
My target blood pressure is top number
bottom number
Bottom number (diastolic)
Notes
85
I ate ham for lunch.
ŠP ritchett & Hull Associates, Inc., Atlanta, GA Patients and their families may copy this page.
13
How to take your blood pressure 1
cuff
2
cuff
about 1 inch above elbow
snug, but room for a finger under cuff
3
level with heart
14
pump up the cuff
4
squeeze rubber bulb
5 read blood pressure numbers
6
push release button
7
Write numbers on your chart
15
Questions If you have a question you want to ask your doctor or nurse, write it here. Here are some to get you started:
Q. How often should I check my blood pressure? A. Q.
What is my target blood pressure goal?
A. Q. What are the best kind of exercises for me to do? A. Q. A.
Reviewers: Karen Y. Boone, MN, MPH, RNCS
We believe that you have the right to know
CDC
as much as you can about your health. Our
Atlanta, GA
goal is to give you enough facts to get the main points clearly in mind. We do this
Sandra Cornett, RN, PhD
with medical accuracy, warmth and humor.
Director
The result for you: less tension, more
Ohio State University
healing and a good idea of what to ask
AHEC Clear Health
your doctor, nurse or others.
Communication Program Vickie L. Davy, RN, MS Patient Education Coordinator
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