Recently, the news was filled with a great deal of stress and sadness. It’s a good time to check your blood pressure. Adrenalin surges from stress damage the inside lining of the arteries leading to heart and kidney disease, strokes, blindness and dementia.  Most people can’t feel it!

You can tell how you’re handling stress by checking your blood pressure at home. I recommend an automatic blood pressure machine that fits around your arm and plugs into power. You can find one online or at any pharmacy.

First, create a log with columns for date, time, first and second set of numbers. It’s helpful to have a column for unusual events such as whether you were under stress, consumed a salty meal or alcohol.

Normal blood pressure is 120/80 or lower. Anything higher than 130-139/80-89 is considered too high and begins to cause damage.

Sit in a chair with your back against it, feet on the floor and arm resting on a table. Sit quietly for 5 minutes than push the button. Record the blood pressure and pulse rate. Repeat the process in 3 minutes and record those numbers.

Do this in the morning before coffee or smoking and again at night before bed. It’s best to do this for 2 weeks, but one week will do. Give your doctor this information before each blood pressure follow-up visit.

If you’re having a stressful moment…stop and record the numbers. It will give you an indication of how your body is reacting to stress. Some people are fine until they are under stress. You may need a medication or lifestyle strategy to protect your heart during those bursts of adrenaline.

Eating a healthier diet lower in salt helps. The chemicals in fruits and vegetables naturally lower blood pressure. Exercise of any kind, reducing caffeine, smoking and weight also help.

Even if you do all these things your blood pressure may remain high. Your doctor may prescribe medications to protect your heart, brain and kidneys. Most have minimal if any side effects and are inexpensive.

Deep breathing and prayer help to put the fires out in an anxious heart. May God bless you as another day of traumatic news and daily annoyances may come upon us.

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control (Proverbs 29:11).

Reference:

“Monitoring your Blood Pressure at Home,” (2023), American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings/monitoring-your-blood-pressure-at-home.

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I’m a Christian nurse who helps people navigate the murky waters of healthcare.

 ã All rights reserved 2023, Jennie E. Johnson, RN-BC, PhD

Author of:

Wake Up Call 911: It’s Time to Reduce your Risk for a Heart Attack and Stroke (2015)

Helping the Hurting: Nursing Ministry in the Body of Christ (2022)

Paperback copies of both books for sale. Email me for details at:  ask@jenniejohnsonrn.com.