What is blood pressure?
(from the Canadian Hypertension Society)
Blood pressure is the force on the walls of the arteries as the blood circulates.
Blood pressure allows blood to flow and deliver nutrients to the body. We measure blood pressure with two numbers. The top number is the blood pressure when your heart beats. The bottom number is your blood pressure when your heart relaxes and refills with blood. The higher your numbers and the longer they are high, the more damage is caused to your blood vessels.
Blood pressure increases with age. More than nine in ten Canadians will develop high blood pressure (hypertension) unless they follow a healthy lifestyle. High blood pressure is the leading risk for death. High blood pressure can cause strokes, heart attacks, and heart and kidney failure. It is also related to dementia and sexual problems. These problems can be prevented if high blood pressure is controlled.
Do I have High Blood Pressure?
(from the Canadian Hypertension Society)
You may not experience any symptoms if you have high blood pressure so you should have your blood pressure measured regularly throughout your life. Remember, even if you are young you could still have high blood pressure so get your blood pressure checked.
One high blood pressure reading does not necessarily mean you have hypertension. Your doctor may diagnose hypertension right away if your blood pressure is extremely high, or may ask you to come back for several visits before a diagnosis can be made.
Blood pressure should be measured when you are relaxed and rested because most people have higher readings when they are under physical or emotional stress. Monitoring your own blood pressure with a home blood pressure monitor can be helpful.
What is the goal of the RDPCN high blood pressure program?
The goal of the program is to help people
- Take control of your lifestyle choices
- Be an active participant in health related decisions
- Decide what is important to you and set goals and make an action plan to meet those goals
- Be open and honest with health care professionals regarding your feelings, actions and progress on goals and the action plan
- Establish personal supports that help you adopt and maintain healthy living choices
- Make your health a priority and invest time and effort to achieve good health
- Regularly monitor health parameters and act on results
Who would benefit from the RDPCN high blood pressure program?
- Anyone with high blood pressure
- This is not for emergencies
How does the RDPCN high blood pressure program work?
Your family doctor will refer you to this program. You can also ask your family doctor if you might benefit from this program.
Initial Appointment:
You will receive a phone call from your family nurse to arrange an initial meeting at your family doctor's office. This appointment which is approximately 45 minutes will be an opportunity to:
- get to know your family nurse and how she can help you
- learn how you can better manage your high blood pressure
- help you identify areas where you can make a positive improvement in your life.
Resources
Canadian Hypertension Society