Study suggests older adults should check blood pressure at home

A new study has found that only 48 per cent of people aged 50 to 80 who take blood pressure medications or have a health condition that's affected by hypertension regularly check their blood pressure at home or other places. A somewhat higher number - but still only 62 per cent -- say a health care provider encouraged them to perform such checks. Poll respondents whose providers had recommended they check their blood pressure at home were three and a half times more likely to do so than those who didn't recall getting such a recommendation. The findings underscore the importance of exploring the reasons why at-risk patients aren't checking their blood pressure, and why providers aren't recommending they check -- as well as finding ways to prompt more people with these health conditions to check their blood pressure regularly. This could play an essential role in helping patients live longer and maintain heart and brain health, the study's authors say. Past research has shown that regular home monitoring can help with blood pressure control and that better control can mean a reduced risk of death; cardiovascular events including strokes and heart attacks; and of cognitive impairment and dementia.