High blood pressure is a phenomena where someone’s blood presses against the walls of their blood vessels at a high and consistent rate. Left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to many health problems. This may include the risk for heart attack, stroke, diabetes and multiple other issues.

Americans need to take early steps to combat high blood pressure. Often, their health insurance can provide a substantial benefit in this fight.

Health Insurance and Blood Pressure Monitoring

One thing many policyholders may not realize is that health insurance might provide free blood pressure monitoring services. This preventative service might help Americans get a better handle on their high blood pressure.

The Affordable Care Act made many changes to the health insurance industry. It ruled that most insurance plans must cover certain preventative services for free. Whether you buy a plan off or on the federal marketplace, your plan should cover these services.

One of these preventative services is blood pressure monitoring. By monitoring your blood pressure, a physician may be able to detect early symptoms of high blood pressure. Also, you may be able to access other free preventative services that can help reduce your high blood pressure risks. This may include aspirin use counseling, diet counseling and Type 2 Diabetes testing.

If you decide to seek high blood pressure testing, first check your insurance. Some older plans may still not cover the service for free. Also, stay in-network when seeing a doctor. This may help you better maximize your coverage and cost savings.

Steps to Reduce High Blood Pressure

Often, you can prevent high blood pressure by living a healthier lifestyle.

• Monitor your diet, and reduce your intake of sodium, carbs and other fatty foods.

• Stay hydrated, and shy away from drinks containing high caffeine content. Caffeinated drinks to avoid may include coffee, soda and certain teas.

• Exercise regularly, and try to maintain a healthy body weight. Doing both can reduce the stress you put on your body. Stress often increases the risk for high blood pressure.

• Also reduce your mental stress as another way to lower your blood pressure.

• Do not smoke, and watch your alcohol intake.

• Check your blood pressure regularly at home. If you take blood pressure medication, ensure you have the correct prescription.

With the correct health services, you can reduce your risks of high blood pressure. Never forget that you can also reduce these risks by improving your home life as well.

Need health insurance? Call Kevin Brewer & Associates, Inc. at 704-549-1222 for a fast, free policy quote.