The Pressure's On

As a woman with hypertension, or high blood pressure, I was particularly interested in the recent special issue of a medical journal called (go figure!) Hypertension.

Now, I may be a nerd, but I'm not quite nerdy enough to actually read the issue. But I did read this article summarizing its findings about why hypertension is particularly challenging for women. A few major reasons:

• Doctors don't pay enough attention to women's blood pressure when they're in the office. Maybe because they're too busy filling out reams of paperwork.
  
• Women aren't aware of what their blood pressure readings are or should be (120/80 or lower is "optimal"). Ignorance is not bliss, people.
  
• Women are less likely to receive medications for lowering blood pressure, cholesterol, etc. Demand treatment--it's not optional!
  

I'm proud to say I have taken charge of my hypertension. That means I monitor my blood pressure at home (though admittedly, not as often as I should--every day). I go to the doctor when it starts creeping up. I work with the doctor to achieve and maintain optimal numbers with meds. Even before I started getting fit, I knew I couldn't let my BP get bad--or it could cause a heart attack or stroke. Too scary.

Now that I am exercising daily and eating a nutritious diet, I feel even more in control of my condition. Unfortunately, it is hereditary at a young age in my family, so I will likely battle it even as I become Skinny Mrs.

But I know I'm doing everything I can to take care of my heart (just took my BP now, actually: 122/78--not too shabby). Ladies (and fellas), I hope you are, too! Speak up to your doc and get the care you deserve.