Playing (and Staying Alive) by the Numbers

Date of birth, Social Security number, PIN. You know so many numbers, but do you know the ones that could save your life?

They're your blood pressure numbers. And the lower they are, the better. Need to get yours lower? Consider buying a home blood pressure monitor (about $30 and up). Then, twice a day, write down your readings. People with hypertension who follow this simple routine are more likely than nontesters to get their blood pressure back to healthy levels.

Lowering your blood pressure boosts artery health by reducing strain on delicate blood vessels so they stay soft and supple. And because it takes a lot less pressure to force fluid through soft, flexible arteries than through stiff, hard arteries, your heart benefits, too. It doesn't have to work as hard to keep blood zooming around your body. The proven triple play for lowering blood pressure is a combo of diet, exercise, and medication. Here's where home monitoring comes in. Researchers recently found that people with hypertension who regularly test their blood pressure are more likely to follow their treatment plan, and they also check in with their doctors more often. Even better, their doctors stay more involved. So if a patient's blood pressure diary doesn't show much change, docs are more likely to add a second treatment, change the dose, or switch to a new drug altogether until the numbers improve.

Reference
Self-monitoring of blood pressure promotes achievement of blood pressure target in primary health care. Halme, L., Vesalainen, R., Kaaja, M., Kantola, I.; Home measurement of blood pressure study group. American Journal of Hypertension 2005 Nov;18(11):1415-1420.