Measurement Month is a Global screening campaign to identify those with high blood pressure.High blood pressure kills 10 million people every year and only 50% of people are actually aware that they have it. In 2021 over 4 million people were screened during the month of May in more than 90 countries around the globe and, with 40 countries already signed up for 2022 there could be an accumulative effect this year too. Throughout May 2022 there will be free screening events, how to take your blood pressure at home videos to watch, educating and supporting us to take our blood pressure at home and ultimately to help save lives.
We explore this process of screening and treatment for High Blood Pressure and then apply the same principles for those living with LTHC’s and in particular those with Pituitary Conditions/Addison’s Disease*.
Looking after your heart is something that we are all well aware of but it seems that not enough of us are aware that our blood pressure could be causing us harm and, potentially threatening our lives. When it comes to everything heart we would probably assume that if we eat well, sleep well and exercise well that all is good. That might not be the case. Although, all three are clearly important, we also need to manage our blood pressure.
The figures above are staggering and yet taking our blood pressure once in a while could be a simple check to add to your list that doesn’t cost a fortune, takes a matter of minutes and could enable you to live a happy, healthy and longer life. For those with LTHC’s and/or Disabilities the pressures placed on the body are already high and demanding, so add in high blood pressure and BOOM that’s yet more strain on your body.
Some people are still wary to go beyond the front gate without anxiety over potential COVID contraction despite it’s drop off from main news headlines and GP surgeries still operating with fewer visitors than we may like there are ways to overcome this obstacle. Taking these simple steps;
Step one - Understand blood pressure and it’s importance
Step Two - Get a free test completed through Measurement Month
Step Three - Purchase a Heart Rate Monitor to Use at Home
Step Four - Watch the great tutorial videos
Step Five - Keep an eye on your blood pressure regularly
Understanding - What Do The Numbers Mean?
Most of us will be aware that a blood pressure reading consist of 2 numbers, but what do these actually mean? The answer;
‘Systolic – The first number, which indicates pressure in the arteries when the heart beats. Diastolic – The second number, which indicates pressure in the arteries when the heart relaxes between beats. If the first number is 110 and the second number is 70, this would be written as 110/70’. (https://maymeasure.org/mmm-at-home/)
The chart below then shows you how to translate that number into working knowledge from low to high blood pressure.
Measurement Month Test Screening Opportunities
Get Involved has the option to register your name and country so you can be updated on any screening programmes that are arranged as they happen as we approach the actual month of May. With more countries signing up all the time and UK events building all the time, there’s sure to be an event that you can access. The great thing being it’s quick, easy and great to learn how to take your pressure properly from expert helpers and have your results explained. If you happen to be someone who would like to volunteer in some capacity then you can do this own the same page.
Purchase a HRM To Use At Home
There is a huge range of options on for the market for at home blood pressure measurement testing and they come in all different price brackets. Here three brands are recommended;
Kinetik is priced at £25 and MEDGRAM is priced at £18. Both can be ordered from Amazon. Omron is slightly different and offer a range of products starting out with basic models at £31 pound and heading up to £500 for an indulgent Heart Guard Watch. If you have blood pressure problems then this could be a great investment. But it also shows the full range depending on your needs. Plus the higher you go the more functions you will have to monitor any other conditions that you might have.
Watch The Tutorial Videos
Dr Rupy Aujla takes you through everything you need to know on these YouTube Videos;
Video One explains the numbers used to measure BP and what your reading means.
Video Two explains how to take your BP reading at home.
Video Three gives his top lifestyle tips to help improve or maintain a healthy BP.
You can access them all here.
Check Regularly
Checking everyday to begin with is a good way to find your baseline, once you have done this you can either continue along that line or you could cut back and just remember to check regularly like once a week or so. If you notice any difference then go back to daily and if worried contact a medical professional.
Applying These Principles To Other Conditions
Although Measurement Awareness Month is focused directly on high blood pressure, following a similar step sequence with a few tweaks we can replicate measures to support specific conditions such as Pituitary Insufficiency and Addisons Disease.
This article from the Addisons Disease Self Help Group is labelled Holiday Tips and Reminders and written by Endocrine Nurse Nikki Kieffer. It actually includes all the essentials for good management of Addison’s Disease at all times. Whether you are going out to the shops or flying across the world, certain factors will remain the same. There are also some other great resources available. Combining these lead us to The following key components;
Understanding
For those who are newly diagnosed membership is a great way to get started as it includes a comprehensive Welcome Pack. Consider purchasing the Living With Addisons Disease Book which can be purchased through Amazon for £11.95 or the Kindle version is free to download if you have Kindle Unlimited or you can download a sample section. It covers Definitions, Medications, Quality of Life and working with medical professionals. Great to refresh on sick day rules and also to help conversations with family, friends and healthcare providers.
Testing & Medication
Sadly we cannot buy ourselves a test for cortisol levels. Therefore, it is important to keep up to date with hospital appointments and recognise our own symptoms. Ensure that you have plenty of medication with you. Both injections and other oral medications that you may take. This should be for all occasions. Its is sensible to carry/have more than you actually need in case of delays, especially with COVID restrictions still in place. Shortage of medications has been known especially right now, so better to be safe than sorry. Any concerns about travel or change in weather conditions etc should be discussed with a relevant medical professional.
Purchase
Ensure that you wear your medical bracelet/necklace at all times. If you don’t have one then it is well worth investing in one. If its not waterproof and you expect to swim or you want to remove it then consider purchasing a silicon band directly from the Addisons Disease Shop. These are also fine for everyday use. Here you can also purchase emergency wallets, storage boxes for your emergency injections, hospital packs and steroid alert stickers. (Be warned that due to COVID some shortages apply and items can go out of stock).
Video Tutorial
Watch the Emergency Treatment Injection Video regularly and, not just for yourself but for anyone who you travel with or whoever you live with or who is involved in your care. You’ll find seven different ones here for different types of injection, as well as one personal story.
Checking Regularly & Awareness
Look up hospitals that you will be near to and how you can get there from your accommodation, place of work, social networks etc. If English is your second language, you live or work with people who struggle to understand English or you are travelling abroad then Adrenal Crisis Guidelines can be downloaded in 10 different languages!
The pItuitary Foundation also offer some great items in their Shop and also Free Downloadable Publications focused more on Pituitary Insufficiency Guidelines but also the vast array of other Pituitary Conditions.
The images below give you a good visual image of some key components that you could travel with or even have set up in your home or handbag/car whilst out and about. (Taken from the ADSHG Facebook page and submitted by those who require Emergency Injection Pack Kits)
So, we have really just started from the heart and through to the adrenal glands! Lots of knowledge that is transferrable to other medical conditions but also really focused on the whole body and not just the part that you know causes you a problem everyday. Preventative treatment is always going to the preference.
*Please be aware that sometimes we find what we convey helpful but at other times we don’t. However, we include it because everyones journey is different and we have a passionate perseverance to help others as much as possible. To dispose of it all would be a waste and a dis-service to our readers.
The Important Links
MMM - At Home
May Measurement Month
May Measurement Month
Omron - Blood Pressure ~Mpnitor
Kenetik - Blood Pressure Monitor
MEDGRAM - Blood Pressure Monitor
Addison’s Disease Self-Help Group - Holiday Tips & Reminders
Addison’s Disease Self-Help Group - Emergency Injection Video
Addison’s Disease Self-Help Group - Shop
Addison’s Disease Self-Help Group - Living With Addisons Disease Book
Addison’s Disease Self-Help Group - Adrenal Crisis Guidelines
Addison’s Disease Self-Help Group - Membership
The Pituitary Foundation - Publications List
The Pituitary Foundation - Shop