High blood pressure is a nationwide concern and a costly health problem. Nearly one in three Americans (almost 67 million adults) has high blood pressure, and half of them do not have it under control. Uncontrolled blood pressure is a major contributor to heart disease and stroke. In Montana, the percentage of adults reporting high blood pressure has increased steadily since 1995.
The majority of people with uncontrolled high blood pressure are being treated with medicine yet their condition is not under control.
Montana’s community pharmacies are helping to address this health issue by participating in a Team Up. Pressure Down. Statewide initiative. Selected Montana pharmacies, including Big Sandy Pharmacy at 158 Johannes Avenue, Big Sandy, are partnering with their patients who are on blood pressure lowering medication to help ensure that they are taking their medications as prescribed. Project participants receive blood pressure resources and counseling from a pharmacist. Raising blood pressure awareness and improving medication adherence may help enhance blood pressure control levels.
“High blood pressure is a condition that usually does not have any signs or symptoms and for that reason, at Big Sandy Pharmacy, we offer free blood pressure monitoring, counseling on medications as well as lifestyle modifications.” Dr. Danielle Lindland, PharmD, MBA (Big Sandy Pharmacy)
In addition to health care providers and pharmacists making blood pressure a priority, it’s important for patients to lower their risk by eating a health diet lower in sodium, exercising, maintaining a health weight, not smoking, and self-monitoring blood pressure at home.
To learn more about high blood pressure, visit http://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/.
