FOLLOW MY JOURNEY IN THE “GOING FOR ZERO CAMPAIGN”

THIS IS A SPONSORED POST

When I was asked to be a brand ambassador for the Omron Healthcare’s Going for Zero campaign, I did not have to think about my answer very long.  The campaign is designed to work toward elimination of heart attacks and strokes.  My father died with congestive heart failure, and at the time of her death, my mother’s heart was beginning to fail as well, so I do take it seriously………..now.

That was not always the case, as I have confessed many times on this blog.  I did not become health conscious until just 12 years ago and only started a serious exercise program four years ago.  Never too late to turn things around…right?  Also, for the past three years I have attended the GO RED LUNCHEON hosted by the American Heart Association in February.  The programs and testimonies I hear at these luncheons always get my attention and have been a part of changed behavior for me.

So, it is a perfect fit to begin working with Omron during February, American Heart Month, to call attention to the need for proper blood pressure monitoring which can be done at home.  Omron Healthcare, Inc. is the global category leader in personal heart health and wellness technology, with a heritage of over 40 years. Omron is the #1 doctor and pharmacist recommended home blood pressure monitor brand on the market, and the brand is known for its clinically-validated accuracy.  Cardiovascular disease is still the number one cause of death, and stroke is the top cause of adult disability in the U.S., with high blood pressure being the leading risk factor for both these conditions. Omron is working towards educating the public on the importance of monitoring your blood pressure at home, so that with greater awareness of your numbers, the incidence of one’s first encounter with hypertension will hopefully not be a life-threatening cardiac event.

My blood pressure tends to be all over the place, and skews high.  I am a perfect example of what is known as the white coat effect.  My blood pressure is always higher at a medical office because I get nervous when I go to any doctor in anticipation of what they will tell me.  The highest my blood pressure has ever gone was at my doctor’s after they made me weigh in when I did not want to!!  So, it makes sense to me to join this campaign and monitor my blood pressure on a regular basis at home to see if there is a problem or not.  Doctors love data…so let’s give it to them.  They can do the most for us and give better diagnosis when they have more data to evaluate.

I will be using the The Omron EVOLV®, the latest Omron innovation which is a portable, wireless upper-arm blood pressure monitor that is clinically validated for accuracy and has received FDA clearance. It is a sleek one-piece upper arm unit with no tubes or wires. The EVOLV is also equipped with Bluetooth technology which allows the device to seamlessly sync with the Omron Connect App to store, track and share data.  I will be monitoring my blood pressure once a week for 90 days.

I will report back to you during this campaign and let you know all I am learning.  There is a doctor available to me to learn from, and of course, I will stay in touch with my own doctor of the results.

 

Nearly 800,000 strokes occur each year in the U.S., but experts say that up to 80 percent of all strokes are preventable…that is where I want to be.  I am doing this, because I MATTER.

Stay tuned for more information……………….and as always……………………..

KEEP SMILING!!

   Disclaimer:  This is a sponsored post and I am compensated as a brand ambassador, but the words are my own. 

16 Comments

  1. This is great as getting accurate BP readings is important. I also suffer from white coat syndrome and have to “prove” to my doc that I’m fine using in-home readings. But regarding heart disease and stroke, prevention and disease reversal happens with a plant-based diet. No better approach to getting rid of heart disease and stroke for good. I encourage you and your readers to watch the movies Forks Over Knives and What The Health, both on Netflix.

  2. I’m really interested to see what you think of this. My sister monitors hers at home due to ‘white coat syndrome’. My BP has always gone up the minute I see a needle. Last time a tech was digging for a vein my BP was so high I thought I’d have a stroke right there. I’d like a more accurate reading, so am interested in this product. My mom has CHF, has had for YEARS, and heart troubles run in our family. It’s a huge concern of mine.

  3. I am so sorry you struggle with this, Jennifer. They can be very scary. Take care of yourself.

  4. Hello Pamela ?
    Sadly and alarming fact is that about 70 million America adults have high blood pressure. Fortunately our familie and extended families don’t have this problem. We are all on a Mediterranean healthy diet and healthy environment. Let me share with you that I have a friend who had high blood pressure and was put on medication ? which came with side affects and that causes other problems that you have to deal with and doctors give you medication for that problem…
    So,I helped my friend change her diet completely- I watched her throw away her processed foods,eliminating sugar products,etc. she reversed her high blood pressure symptoms and threw away her medication! I could tell you many more happy stories about other chronic disease that have been reversed with changing diets and environment. My campaign is:
    Healthy Body and Home!
    Everything healthy from the inside out!

    Blessings always,
    Raquel

  5. Sometimes, Pam, I think we are related in another life. I have White Coat Syndrome and have had it my entire adult life. The nurse at my doctor’s office jokes that she is going to follow me to my car and take my blood pressure on my way home. Many people don’t think it’s a real thing, but I can feel it the moment I walk in the door and my doctor always walks in the room and chats about silly things, an argument with an insurance company, his kids or pharmaceutical companies, etc. He is so good to me. He usually takes my blood pressure again after we talk and it’s always better. I do take it at home and wear a fitness watch that records blood pressure. It’s fairly accurate and the nurse said it’s “close enough” for simple, on-the-go monitoring. I have a cuff at home. My boss is Chair of this year’s AHA Heart Ball, held in April of this year. It’s been a 14 month endeavor and a ton of work. He is also on the American Heart Association Board of Directors in Columbus, Ohio (which always means I’m on the board), so I’m getting a lot of good information that admittedly I desperately need to keep my focus. My contact at the AHA has given me great Heart Healthy Cookbooks they publish because it can otherwise be confusing. With other sources on line or in cookbooks, some recipes are low in saturated fat, but high in salt or sugar, or low in salt and high in fat. The ones the AHA publishes are right on the money. No guessing or substituting. Great blog.

  6. I have high blood pressure and am taking medication for it. My husband has white coat syndrome and his BPs are always higher a the Drs. office.
    Good for you for taking it seriously, and doing something about it. I don’t check mine every day but I do about once a month to make sure that I’m not missing something.

  7. High blood pressure is a definite issue. Diet and exercise can help alleviate the situation, but not all of it.

    I have these mantras posted on my refrigerator door, “Don’t eat like an idiot.” And, “There is no excuse not to exercise.”

    Remember: Strong women exercise.

  8. I have to take a very low dose of blood pressure medication because of my thyroid issues and I also have to watch my cholesterol.People are always amazed that I have to watch my cholesterol as I’m slim.High cholesterol has nothing to do with your weight and it’s something I’ve inherited.I have a very healthy diet with lots of fruit and vegetables and I don’t eat red meat.I also exercise daily.In summary,get regular check-ups as you get older and check if you are susceptible to heart disease because of family history.
    PS I have “white coat fever” too and we have a BP monitor at home for my husband and I.Thanks for a timely and informative article.

  9. You are welcome, Julie. White Coat seems to be an issue with many of us…

  10. I need to put don’t eat like an idiot on my refrigerator and my computer…and my phone…and in my car..thanks for the ideas Pat

  11. Thanks Nina! I also can feel it the moment I enter the door…and for some reason it also happens at the eye doctor. I will be curious to see what the at home readings reveal.

  12. Pam: Initially my doctor had me take my BP at home at different times of the day and in different situations which helps to tell you if you have spikes in certain situations (typical if you have white coat syndrome). It’s helps to mentally prepare for situations that you know might raise BP.

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