medvidblog asked:

Does ABPM have the same utility in children as it does in adults, and are all variables to diagnose high blood pressure the same? Dr. Henry Black discusses a recent AHA statement on ABPM in children.

Keeping track of your blood pressure is a very important thing and this is something that you do not want to get lazy about. If you do not keep track of your blood pressure on a consistent basis then you are putting your health at risk.

Nowadays you can buy home based monitors that will allow you to take your blood pressure from the comfort of your home. This allows you to take your blood pressure much more easily and it is important that you do so.

Many modern day versions of these home based monitors run on electricity and are all digital. This makes them very easy to operate and read. The only problem that has been noted with these types of monitors is that the readings are sometimes slightly off.

This can be a bit of a problem because you want the most accurate reading that you can get possible. Since the readings on these monitors are not 100 percent accurate you may consider getting a different kind of model.

When it comes down to it, you need to also know that many people do not know how to properly take their blood pressure anyways and they get inaccurate results. There are many factors that could do this and you should know how to do it properly.

Home based monitors offer convenience and portability but they are lacking in accuracy. Technology is getting better these days so this may become a problem of the past very soon.

At the end of it all you need to decide what is best for you. Remember this is your health that we are talking about here and you are going to want to take it seriously.

Make sure you do your research and you know what you are talking about.

By: Rob Ganion

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Toni T asked:


I have high blood pressure and need an alternative way to help lower it (I am excercising). I lost my job and medical insurance, so any suggestions are welcome.

Benign Hypertension is a term used to distinguish the condition from the more aggressive and severe malignant hypertension. It is usually diagnosed when there are elevated blood pressure levels for a long period, which may be progressing at a very slow pace, and so any damage being caused may take many years to develop.

If blood pressure levels of someone with benign hypertension shoot up, then it can be referred to as going into a “malignant phase”.

The numbers of people with high blood pressure is on the rise with, it is estimated, about a third of all people in the US having the condition. And a third again are thought to be people with undiagnosed high blood pressure.

Of those who have been diagnosed, about 50% of them are believed to be not taking the prescription medication given to them by their doctor correctly. This is a major concern as not taking medication as prescribed is the biggest risk factor in a person suffering from malignant hypertension, which is a life threatening condition.

Most people who are diagnosed with high blood pressure are able to take steps to bring the levels to normal after some changes to lifestyle, diet, exercise regime and potentially medication. And if this is done early enough they can reduce the risk of complications like stroke, heart attacks and kidney problems.

It is understandable that there are so many people who have not been diagnosed witth this potentially deadly condition. There are either no symptoms, or there are potentially mild symptoms like headaches and nausea, which could easily be confused for other problems or dismissed.

This is why it’s called the silent killer, and is considered as one of the most important conditions to educate people on.

The risks of high blood pressure are increased by certain genetic factors, medical factors and lifestyle choices, and it is predominantly the lifestyle choices that we are making that seem to be increasing the numbers of people diagnosed each year.

As more countries embrace the “westernized” lifestyle, including the high fat, high sodium, highly processed diet, the less active jobs and increased stress, it is believed the numbers of people with hypertension will increase dramatically.

One estimate is that the number of people with high blood pressure with reach 1.56billion by 2025, causing a huge burden on many of the health services around the world.

There is a very simple way to check if a person has high blood pressure, a 2-minute process, which can literally make the difference between life and death. Having regular checkups should be a regular activity, especially if there is a family history of hypertension, a person has had kidney or cardiovascular problems, or if they are overweight, with a poor diet and are aged over 35.

Although the phrase “benign” when referring to benign hypertension, seems to suggest that it will not cause problems. This is definitely not the case. If this is the diagnosis a person has received, then they should immediately seek to reduce their blood pressure levels, as every moment that blood pressure is elevated it increases the chance of complications.

By: Paul J Johnson

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kat2021 asked:


I have a friend who just got out of the hospital. He was hospitalized for high blood pressure. They did all the tests on him. He said everything was ok. I know the use nitroglycerin is for heart patients. I have never heard of them using nitroglycerin for blood pressure patients.

Trixie lady asked:


directions-no luck. i tried searching for the company to return it no luck . it is a wrist Monitor.

Blood pressure headache can certainly be a problem but don’t forget that many patients with hypertension have no symptoms of any kind. A sore head does not always mean that you must have high blood pressure!

Some common causes of head pains include

Sinus infection or sinusitis (caused by pressure in the nasal passages.) Migraines Hormone changes such as those that occur in the premenstrual phase Tension headaches (caused by stress and the type of sore head that most closely resembles the one caused by high BP.) Cluster headaches (come in groups and last a half an hour to several hours and occur more than once a day for a prolonged period of time.) Dental problems (a referred pain pattern of head discomfort associated with a toothache.) Eye problems (is caused by an infection or problem with the eye such as glaucoma)
Those listed above are the commonest cause of head pain but of course there are many other possibilities too – if you have persistent headache then please go see your doctor for a check over. You should not rely on internet information for diagnosis of health problems. When you look at the scientific journals there is no convincing research to prove that high BP causes pains in the head – although from looking after many thousands of hypertensive patients, I know for certain that it does. This makes it even more confusing of course. Hypertension is known as the silent killer because of its lack of any symptoms that can be directly attached to the problem. All of the high BP symptoms can also be associated with any number of other conditions. The only way to diagnose hypertension is by monitoring the BP level. Hypertension headaches usually only occur when the patients BP is at a very high level – or when there has been a sudden surge in the level and in this context it can be a warning feature of the need for urgent treatment. You need to keep in mind that up to ninety percent of all headaches are stress induced or stress related and aggravated. Learning to relax can be very beneficial for your BP level as well as for any other stress related symptoms you are experiencing.

By: Gordon Cameron

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Alisha W asked:


I am 8 and a half months pregnant and im on iron supplements for anemia and the doctors say i have a low blood count, lower than what it should be for even being pregnant. I will have low blood pressure spells, almost like panic attacks for no reason or after i eat. today i had a normal lunch and went to wal mart straight after i got done eating and i thought that i should check my blood pressure on there monitor since i was there, and it was availble, it read 135 over 85 114 pulse the first time i did it, then 15 minutes later i did it again and it had dropped to 115 to 78 pulse 114 and i thought this was odd bc usually my blood pressure is low, like 90 over 60 but my pulse will always be higher. i dont know what to tell the doctors bc its so spastic and i never go into one of these spells when im at the doctors office for a prego check up.

Pregnant with # 2 !! asked:


I’m being monitored for preeclampsia, currently have PIH [pregnancy induced hypertension] and I was wondering if anyone else is in the same boat?

I was diagnosed with PIH at 32 weeks, started labatelol and went back 33 weeks with my blood pressure still up. doubled the dose and put on bed rest. I’ve been monitoring my blood pressure at home [I'm an EMT] and its been kind of back and forth, still high at times.. but I have no other symptoms.

I didn’t test positive for protein with dip stick at the doctors office, but they’re having me do the 24 hour collection anyway.

I’m not swelling, but I do have a major headache…

Anyone else have a similar situation and go full term/deliver naturally? I’m so afraid of being induced!
thanks to everyone for answering!!

Kendra, I think it was me lol sorry for asking the question multiple times [over a few days]

I’m just really nervous!

Jeremie W asked:


Please tell me any side effects you have because of this medication. I have just been prescribed this med for migraines, every day headaches, and high blood pressure.

Thankyou