Disclosure: Sponsored post by Omron. All opinions are my own.
As a man in my middle years, as I like to call them, I have recently struggled a bit with my weight. It isn’t over the top, but I do need to get serious and take stock of my health so I can stick around long enough to welcome in grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I have 5 of my own kids, so I am hoping for maybe another 25! I just want to be healthy and active enough to enjoy another chapter with more kids.
My Whole30 Challenge
I decided it is time to get serious about my health so I can live to see my own kids grow older. The most important thing at this stage of life is to respect my cardiovascular health. I am going to cut down on the foods that don’t benefit my heart. That is why I recently started the Whole30. For those of you who are not familiar with the diet, check out the website to tap into the benefits. This meal plan is basically a heart-healthy, protein and fresh produce centered diet that removes the foods that are high in the carbohydrates and sugars that our bodies have trouble digesting and using for energy properly. My plan is to take a 90 day challenge to drop some weight and get my organs running efficiently.
While trimming back the pounds I am also keeping tabs on my blood pressure and heart rate. Did you know that hypertension is one of the leading causes of strokes and heart attacks? I will be using an Omron BP monitor to check my pressure daily. Omron Healthcare, Inc. is the global category leader in personal heart health and wellness technology. To find out more about the company and its monitors, visit omronhealthcare.com.
I notice that my blood pressure reading is normal at home but rises when I visit my doctor. This is what is often described as the white coat effect – being a bit anxious when you visit your doctor, which may cause a spike in blood pressure. That is why the most accurate way to know your blood pressure reading on average is by taking readings at home, while relaxed. I keep a small journal so I can detect a pattern. Many Omron BP monitors have memory that can keep that journal for you.
Omron’s blood pressure monitors are considered to be the industry standard and highly recommended by the medical community for home use. The new Omron EVOLV® is one that I like because it is portable and wireless. It fits on my upper arm with no tubes or wires to connect it to a display unit. The readout is on the armband. The EVOLV uses Bluetooth technology which allows the device to interface with the Omron Connect App to store, track, and share data.
90 Day Challenge – Going for Zero™
The American Heart Association (AHA) announced new guidelines for high blood pressure in November of 2017. The updated guidelines lowered the threshold for hypertension from 140/90 to 130/80. This raised the number of Americans with hypertension to more than 103 million. Most people are unaware they are hypertensive. The best way to keep track of your blood pressure is to monitor it at home and keep a journal that you can use to have a discussion with your doctor. Cardiovascular disease is still the highest cause of death. And stroke is the top cause of adult disability in the U.S., according to the AHA.
Omron Healthcare has a mission, termed Going for Zero™. It is aimed at the elimination of heart attacks and strokes. The company has partnered with organizations, like the AHA and AliveCor, to help educate us about the dangers of hypertension. Omron continues to research and develop innovative technologies to make it more convenient for all of us to monitor our blood pressure.