"Know your numbers" is a term used by the American Heart Association in regards to knowing your lab and test results for heart disease and high cholesterol. This is very important, however, tracking and monitoring lab and test results for other conditions is very important as well.
Why Is this Important?
One of the most important things that you can do is to learn the meaning of your lab values and test results. Knowing why these tests are taken and understanding what the test results mean ensures that you are well informed about your medical treatment. Knowing this information also helps you to stay "out-in-front" and be proactive about your healthcare. For example if you have high blood pressure (BP) you need to know:
1) why you must monitor your BP,
2) what your target BPis,
3) how often you should take it and
4) what to do if it stays too high.
How Should I Keep Track of this Information?
Keeping accurate and up-to-date medical records is very important. It is important because tracking your test results over time will give you an overall view of how you are doing. Tracking over a long period of time gives you more than just a snapshot of how you are doing on the day you see your doctor. It is also very important to keep accurate records so that every one of your doctors or healthcare providers has the same information about you. It is important that all of your doctors have a complete record of your medications and test results- not just the doc
There are two ways that you should keep track of this information. The first will be the daily log. This is the place where you will record your daily medication use, your weight, and other tests.
Additionally, you should have a Personal Health Record. This is the complete record of your healthcare. This form will document all of your overall medical history, medications, insurance information etc.
High Blood Pressure - What You Need to Know
High blood pressure is also called hypertension. A person's "blood pressure" (or "BP") is the pressure of blood against the walls of the vessels that carry your blood to the rest of your body (similar to the pressure of water running through a garden hose).
A reason that your blood pressure may be high (or elevated) is a narrowing of the blood vessels causing the heart to have to pump harder and faster to get the blood to the rest of the body. Another reason that can cause it to be high is an increase in the amount of extra fluid in your blood which also causes the heart to beat harder and faster.
Many of the drugs that are used to treat hypertension will:
1) relax the blood vessels causing them to open slightly and let the blood flow more easily, or
2) cause you to lose fluid (i.e. diuretics or "water pills") thereby causing less blood for the heart to pump, or
3) lower the rate that the heart beats.
Many times you will see a combination of these drugs used together to get the maximum effect.
What Does a Blood Pressure Reading Mean?
Blood pressure readings are made up of two numbers, an upper number and a lower number. An example would be 120/80 mm Hg. If the nurse was telling you what your blood pressure was, she would say "Your blood pressure is 120 over 80." The upper number is called the systolic reading. This is when the heart beats. The lower number is called the diastolic reading and this is when the heart is at rest between beats. BP is measured in "millimeters of mercury" and this is written as "mm Hg."
It is important to note that many times a person with high blood pressure does not even know it. It usually has no symptoms. You can feel fine but your blood pressure may be high enough to bring on a heart attack. It may be years before high blood pressure is detected. The only way to really know if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked by a healthcare professional. This is quick and painless and should be done as part of your routine check up, employee health nurse or other services available in your community.
How Should I Measure My Blood Pressure?
Blood pressures can be taken by a healthcare provider in the medical office or by you or a caregiver at home. A blood pressure can even be taken in many pharmacies by using one of the automated blood pressure machines.
Remember:
- Ask your doctor for your blood pressure goal. He or she will tell you what it needs to be.
- Additionally, your doctor will give you a target weight. This needs to be monitored as well. Refer to ideal weight charts and then ask your doctor if this is the right weight for you.
- Many physicians will monitor your body mass index in addition to your weight. This is abbreviated as "BMI" and is an estimate of your body fat. It is calculated by using your height and weight. The body mass index chart is included in the Appendix of this book.
- Take your medications as prescribed even if you don't feel sick. Take them at the same time each day, know what to do if you miss a dose and know how to recognize side effects.
- Log your medications, exercise, weight, and body mass index in your daily journals.
- Keep a Personal Health Record for your overall healthcare goals.
Mary Sue McAslan, Pharm.D.
America's Family Pharmacist
DrMarySue@americasfamilypharmacist.com
http://www.americasfamilypharmacist.com
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