Tennessee Health Insurance And Occasional High Blood Pressure
Variability in blood pressure appears to predict the risk of stroke more powerfully than high average or usual blood pressure
. Three papers published simultaneously in The Lancet, and another study in The Lancet Neurology, all support the idea that variability is the more powerful indicator.These studies by Professor Peter Rothwell and colleagues at the University of Oxford have major implications for diagnosing, and treating high blood pressure to prevent heart disease and stroke.
Prior to these studies, it was believed that the underlying average blood pressure determined most of the risk of complications from hypertension (raised blood pressure), and all of the benefit from the drugs that are used to lower blood pressure.
Improved Direction in Medical Guidelines Means Better Healthcare
In these studies, Rothwell's team found that variability of blood pressure (BP) between visits to clinics was a strong predictor of angina, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and stroke, independent of mean BP.
This contradicts assumptions in current medical guidelines that patients with only occasional high readings do not require treatment. Now, it is becoming clear that such patients have a high risk of stroke and other complications. Occasional high BP that may be called episodic hypertension are associated with a high risk of stroke, and can no longer be considered to be benign.
Latest Information about Drugs to Lower Blood Pressure
Rothwell's team also analyzed previous trials comparing the effects of blood-pressure-lowering medications. They found that different blood-pressure-lowering drugs have different effects on BP variability.
Certain prescription drugs increase this variability, which is dangerous, and others decrease variability, which is helpful. The researchers also found that these effects correlated with differences in the effectiveness of the drugs in preventing stroke.
The research shows that many patients need blood-pressure-stabilizing drugs as well as blood-pressure-lowering drugs. That's a new concept in medical care, and it's important to talk with your doctor about reevaluating any medications you're currently taking that affect your BP.
New Findings Fuel Reevaluation of Prescriptions
In fact, it's a good plan to regularly discuss all the medications you're taking with a doctor so you are aware of possible interactions and side effects. Even doctors are joining a national prescription drug awareness campaign that is attempting to get a million people to take a better look at the medications they're taking.
Take a better look at Tennessee Health Insurance Plans, too, for extra help with prescription medications. Health Insurance in Tennessee can include discount cards to lower your cost for medications. In addition, two of the largest providers of Health Insurance for Tennessee -- Aetna and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee '- are offering at-home delivery for popular medications. That includes maintenance medications that are used to treat heart disease.
Tennessee Health Insurance members who enroll in mail-order prescription programs may also receive a discount for the first time they fill a prescription. Many programs offer additional coupons, free shipping, and other perks to make filling prescriptions more affordable and convenient. Some programs even offer reminders when it's time to refill a prescription.
Not only is it important to be fully informed of the benefits and risks of medications and how to get the most savings on prescriptions, but it is also important to be educated about non-drug alternatives.
Lifestyle Still Best Bet to Prevent Heart Attack, Heart Disease, and Stroke
Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, exercising regularly, and keeping your weight under control can lower systolic BP by about 10 to 15 mmHG. Systolic pressure is measured while the heart is beating, and diastolic pressure is when the heart is at rest between beats. BP is measured in millimeters of mercury recorded as mmHg. The systolic pressure is always given first in a reading. For optimal health, those numbers should be lower than 120/80 mmHg.
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