February 28, 2020

High Blood Pressure & Heart Disease: What You Should Know

Uncontrolled high blood pressure (BP) can lead to heart attack, stroke, heart failure and other serious life threats. According to the American Heart Association, nearly half of U.S. adults have high BP and 45.6% of those with high BP do not have it controlled.

If you are living with heart disease or high blood pressure, contact EveryStep Home Care to learn how the team’s nurses and professionals can help you manage your disease and your medications. 

EveryStep Home Care offers the following steps to stay safe and healthy.

GREEN ZONE: Stay on Track

Know what your normal blood pressure is (and make sure family and caregivers know it, too).  Taken as directed and under normal circumstances, your usual medications should control your blood pressure.       

Every day:         

  1. Continue taking your medications as ordered.
  2. Continue monitoring your blood pressure.
  3. Keep all physician appointments.

 YELLOW ZONE: Slow Down, Report Symptoms

Call your home care nurse or physician if you experience any of the following:

  • Repeated blood pressure readings outside your normal range
  • Headaches
  • Nose bleeds
  • Ringing in your ears
  • Lightheadedness
  • Palpitations

Stop any strenuous activity or exercise. Your symptoms may indicate that you need an adjustment in your medications.

RED ZONE: Emergency

You need to be evaluated by a physician right away – CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY if you have:

  • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
  • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
  • Sudden, severe headache

Don’t wait for an emergency to happen before you take steps to better manage your health. Please contact EveryStep Home Care at 855-867-4692 today with questions or visit us online.