I take my blood pressure regularly even though it’s usually within a normal and healthy range. The main reason for this is that both my parents and my sister have high blood pressure. They manage it with exercise, a healthy low-sodium diet and medication.
Just a few weeks ago my sister, who turned 50 in August, spent a month with us in Florida for the holidays.
She was not feeling like herself: pressure in her temples, a headache and generally unwell, so she asked me to take her to get her blood pressure checked. She had a high reading that warranted a visit to the walk-in clinic. The doctor adjusted her medication and recommended that she take her blood pressure daily from now on.She purchased a blood pressure monitor at Walgreens, since she gets Balance® Rewards points. She’s now back home in San Francisco and after seeing her regular doctor, who made further adjustments to her medication, she’s keeping a close eye on her blood pressure readings. The thing about high blood pressure is that once it gives symptoms, it can be pretty high already, so it’s a good idea to measure it on a regular basis.
One year ago, my father gave us all a huge scare. He has been taking beta-blockers for decades to manage his high blood pressure. He is fit and healthy, but apparently was feeling out of breath and developed a pain in his left arm which he chalked up to muscle tension. When he walked himself to a clinic, they rushed him to the hospital. He had angina, and was extremely close to having a heart attack. A thorough examination determined he had four clogged arteries and had to undergo a quadruple coronary bypass.
It was a big ordeal that took its toll on him physically, mentally and emotionally. And yet, I’m happy to report that with medication, stress-control, exercise and a balanced diet, he is doing fine.My mother had a stroke caused by a ruptured aneurysm when she was 28. She survived it but has lived with huge impairments that continue today. High blood pressure is also something she needs to manage daily.
Although my blood pressure, so far, is normal, I do my part in keeping it in check because of my family history. Aside from practicing yoga, both to keep a lid on stress and my heart healthy, I eat a balanced diet and take my blood pressure at least once a month, sometimes every two weeks.
During the month of February, in Walgreens, you can get your FREE blood pressure test and get 500 Balance® Rewards points. I encourage you to take advantage of this in order to know your blood pressure reading. You can request it from your pharmacist. He or she will also point you towards the vitamins, supplements and even home blood-pressure monitors that can help you keep a close eye on your heart health. This makes it easy for you to maintain your #HeartHealthGoals through expert advice, free blood pressure testing and savings on product solutions.
February Heart Health Offers in Walgreens:
Start with a FREE blood pressure test and get 500 Bonus points. Plus, earn points when you monitor and maintain your heart health.
Start with a FREE blood pressure test and get 500 Bonus points. Plus receive coupons to earn:
500 Bonus points when you buy any Walgreens brand automatic blood pressure monitor,
500 Balance® Rewards points with purchase of 4 Walgreens brand vitamins and supplements.
Not available in AR, NJ or NY. Must present Balance® Rewards card in pharmacy to redeem offer.
Offer valid 1/31/16-2/27/16 only.