MedicAlert was instrumental in providing critical medical information to the emergency room staff and also contacting family members. I am alive today because of MedicAlert.
Medical IDs for Hypertension
The confidence to live with hypertension
According to the American Heart Association, over 103 million Americans are living with hypertension – more commonly known as high blood pressure. If you’re one of them, it’s important that you actively manage your hypertension with medication and lifestyle changes. It’s also critical that you wear a medical ID.
For people living with high blood pressure, medical IDs for hypertension can be pivotal for providing peace of mind.
How MedicAlert protects those with hypertension
One thing you shouldn’t worry about is what could happen if there’s an emergency. MedicAlert’s protection plans offer benefits that extend beyond the ID, providing safety and peace of mind for people living with hypertension, their families and caregivers.
24/7 Emergency Response
Our team provides first responders the information they need to provide fast, accurate care.
Digital Health Profile
All your vital information, all in one place for you and your caregiver.
Emergency Contact Notification
In an emergency, we connect families so that no one is alone in a crisis.
Patient Instructions
Share the information that’s important to your care, such as use of rescue medications or contraindication for tests like MRIs.
Pair a medical ID for hypertension with the protection plan that’s right for you.
What is hypertension?
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is when the force of the blood flowing through your blood vessels is consistently too high. Hypertension develops over time and is typically caused by a combination of genetic and physical risk factors and lifestyle choices. In a small number of cases, hypertension can be caused by an underlying medical condition.
If left untreated, hypertension can damage your arteries and decrease the flow of blood and oxygen to your organs. This can lead to serious health complications including heart attacks, heart disease, and stroke. Luckily, hypertension is well understood and can usually be controlled with medication and lifestyle changes. A medical ID for hypertension helps healthcare professionals more quickly identify underlying factors if you ever need emergency medical attention.
What are the risk factors for hypertension?
Hereditary and physical risk factors for high blood pressure can include:
- Age. According to the CDC, most hypertension patients are aged 60 and over. However, hypertension can affect people at any age – but the older you are, the higher your risk of developing high blood pressure.
- Gender. Women and men have approximately the same lifetime risk of hypertension, but men are more likely to develop high blood pressure before age 65, whereas women are more likely to develop high blood pressure after age 65.
- Race. In the US, African Americans are more likely to develop hypertension than individuals of other racial backgrounds. It is believed that this is due to a combination of genetic factors, such as an increased sensitivity to salt, and environmental factors, such as a higher rate of obesity.
- Family history. Because of genetics and shared lifestyles, high blood pressure often runs in families.
- Underlying conditions. Medical conditions such as chronic kidney disease, sleep apnea, and thyroid problems can increase your risk of developing hypertension.
Since hereditary and physical risk factors can’t be changed, it’s often more helpful to understand lifestyle-related risk factors, which are controllable. These risk factors include:
- Poor diet. Individuals who regularly eat high levels of sodium, saturated fat, and alcohol are at increased risk for hypertension.
- Lack of exercise. Regular physical activity helps improve heart strength, relax blood vessels, and lower blood pressure.
- Smoking and tobacco use. Smoking and tobacco use temporarily raises blood pressure and can lead to artery damage.
- Being overweight or obese. Excess weight strains your circulatory system and can stress your heart and blood vessels. Obesity is also linked to high cholesterol, which is another hypertension risk factor.
- Stress. Chronic stress can cause sustained blood pressure elevations and may contribute to other hypertension risk factors, such as poor diet and lack of exercise.
Source: American Heart Association
What are the signs and symptoms of high blood pressure?
Most people never have noticeable symptoms of high blood pressure, even if their condition is severe. Those that do experience high blood pressure symptoms typically report dizziness, headaches, shortness of breath, and nosebleeds.
Although the absence of disorienting or painful symptoms may seem like a good thing, it’s actually quite dangerous: since hypertension does not have any obvious signs, it can cause significant damage before being diagnosed. As a result, many call it “the silent killer.”
What to engrave on your MedicAlert medical ID for hypertension:
MedicAlert offers free custom engraving on all our hypertension bracelets and medical ID products. The engraving on medical IDs for hypertension should include any critical medical information that can protect and save your life if you are in an accident or have a medical emergency.
Some examples of information to engrave on medical IDs for hypertension include:
- Hypertension, High Blood Pressure, HT, or HBP
- Medications you’re taking
- Allergies
- Implanted devices
- Any additional medical information that needs to be communicated to first responders
Sample engraving. Consult our team if you need help engraving your medical ID for hypertension.
Living with hypertension
With proper diagnosis and treatment, individuals living with high blood pressure can lead full and active lives. Even so, many people with hypertension live with the ongoing worry that they will have sudden health emergency. One way to ease this concern is to wear a hypertension bracelet.
As with any medical condition, you should consult your doctor for specific instructions on managing your condition.
Does high blood pressure cause sweating?
There is a common misconception that sweating and high blood pressure are correlated, but the American Heart Association has deemed this a myth. If you are sweating, high blood pressure likely isn’t the culprit. In fact, it may be opposite: sweating has been linked to low blood pressure.
How do you know if you have high blood pressure?
Hypertension is typically diagnosed during a physical exam using a routine blood pressure test. For this test, an inflatable cuff that is wrapped around your arm and then filled with air. As it tightens around your arm, a gauge measures your blood pressure. If your results indicate high blood pressure, your physician may diagnose you with hypertension or may request further tests, such as a heart exam or blood and urine test. These tests can help confirm the diagnosis or identify additional considerations, such as underlying health conditions, that may affect treatment.
Medical IDs for hypertension combined with MedicAlert Membership provide peace of mind
If you’re in an accident or medical emergency, your medical ID will immediately alert emergency personnel to your condition. First responders are trained to look for a medical ID and to contact MedicAlert. When they do, MedicAlert’s 24/7 response team will relay your complete emergency health profile to the people caring for you. With knowledge of your condition and the medications you’re taking, emergency personnel can provide you with the best possible care. They won’t waste precious time on an incorrect diagnosis – or possibly administer a dangerous medication or treatment.
- We’re Your Voice: If you can’t speak for yourself, MedicAlert informs others about your hypertension as well as any other health considerations. This is especially important because blood pressure medicine will affect any emergency treatment you receive.
- 24/7 Emergency Protection: First responders are trained to look for a medical ID and to contact MedicAlert. When they do, MedicAlert’s team will relay your critical medical information to first responders in an emergency, no matter where or when it happens.
- Stay Connected: No one should be alone in their moment of need. MedicAlert will reach out to your emergency contacts if you are unable to do so.
- Peace of Mind: Enjoy the freedom to live your life with hypertension, knowing that MedicAlert is there for you when you need us most.
DISCLAIMER: THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. The information in this article is presented for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis and treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider for any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.