INTERVIEW ON THE PRICE OF BUSINESS SHOW, MEDIA PARTNER OF THIS SITE.
Recently Kevin Price, Host of the nationally syndicated Price of Business Show, welcomed Dr. Ann Hester to provide another commentary in a series.
The Dr. Ann Hester Commentaries
High blood pressure remains a leading cause of death in America. Poorly controlled hypertension contributes to heart disease, THE leading killer in the U.S.A. It’s a major risk factor for a stroke, which robs countless people of their lives and independence each day. And it is the sole cause that many people now require dialysis treatments. But there’s more. It can cause vision problems. In addition, HTN contributes to PAD, blockage of the arteries in the legs that can lead to amputations and even cause sexual dysfunction in men. That’s a lot.
But poorly controlled hypertension doesn’t have to continue to wreak havoc on so many lives. We have more control over this silent killer than we realize. While we can’t control everything that happens to us, we can play a vital role in our blood pressure control. The following are simple steps to take to:
Step 1
Get your blood pressure checked. If you’ve ever been told it was high but never bothered to follow up with a doctor because you “feel okay,” get it checked this week, or better yet, today. Ask a friend if your local pharmacy doesn’t have an automatic blood pressure machine. Many people have a home blood pressure monitor. And if you were told yours was high in the past, you should have your own monitor anyway. A high-quality blood pressure cuff is a tiny investment in the quality of the rest of your life. Some are very accurate, while others aren’t.
Before you buy one, see if that brand has already been validated for accuracy. At https://www.validatebp.org, you’ll find a list of blood pressure cuffs that have proven accurate. Take your time. You only have one life. You likely take the time to research your retirement investments. If your health fails before retirement, many of your dreams may go up in smoke, so invest a little time and money in yourself first.
Don’t stop there. Take your blood pressure cuff on your doctor’s visits occasionally and check your reading against the reading obtained with professional equipment. If your doctor knows the blood pressure log you give him is accurate, he will be empowered to make safer choices about your treatment. Your blood pressure might shoot up every time you’re in his office, which is not uncommon. It’s called white coat hypertension. The readings at the doctor’s office may reflect your anxiety over being at the doctor’s office and not your actual blood pressure in a standard setting.
Step 2
If your doctor tells you to modify your lifestyle by increasing your activity level, losing weight, or cutting back on processed and high-sodium foods, put forth your very best effort to do these things. Lifestyle modification might be all you need to lower your blood pressure to a safe range without medication. If your doctor prescribed medication that causes side effects that you find unacceptable, notify her. There are many alternatives she can prescribe. The important thing is that you are on the same page. Don’t just stop taking your medication and decide to take your chances. That mindset has killed many. Who knows if you will suffer a fatal stroke in your sleep? Tomorrow is not promised. We often take life for granted and assume the next day will come. Frequently, it does not. Today is all you are have, so make wise use of your time.
Step 3
If your doctor prescribes a too-expensive medication, don’t be ashamed. Speak up. Tell her a drug is not in your budget so she can prescribe an alternative. You might be surprised you can get many blood pressure medications for a few dollars. There are even $4 prescription plans available thru several major pharmacies. Pharmaceutical companies must prove that their proposed generic equivalent works or it won’t make it to pharmacy shelves. If you have difficulty getting to the pharmacy for monthly refills, ask for a 90-day prescription. Your insurance company may even have a program that mails it to you.
Step 4
If you have difficulty remembering to take your blood pressure medicine, place the bottle in a prominent location, such as next to your toothbrush. Also, consider getting a mobile app that reminds you when you need to take your medication.
These are just a few simple things you can do to drastically decrease your risk of succumbing to a fatal heart attack or stroke. Remember, this moment is all that’s promised. Use it wisely.
Ann M. Hester, M.D. is a board-certified internist with over 25 years of experience. She obtained her medical degree from the University of Tennessee in Memphis. Dr. Hester believes when patients are taught exceptional “patient skills,” they become empowered to play a previously unimagined role in optimizing their medical care and minimizing medical costs. Her mission is to share these critical skills by various means, thereby improving patient outcomes and strengthening the U.S. healthcare system. This mission started in medical school when she witnessed the tremendous gap between how patients and doctors think. Over the years, she has written various patient empowerment pieces online and through books. Her latest book is Patient Empowerment 101: More than a book, it’s an adventure! This unique work takes an unprecedented step in helping people think more like doctors and position themselves at the center of their healthcare team.
Learn more at https://www.patientempowerment101.com.
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