Special thoughts needed for my mom

[gja1000]

Lindsay, they are doing all the right tests. That is GREAT! The interesting thing is that in the States, she would likely be sent home and have to go back and forth to get all those tests done. We just don't keep people who are not sick in the hospital for those tests anymore - we used to - but not much anymore. I'm glad though, that they are keeping her right there!

Has someone talked to her about nutrition? Pizza - and i LOVE pizza (I also have high blood pressure) is very high in salt. Eating too much salt, causes fluid retention (in everyone) and for persons with high blood pressure, that increased fluid will raise the blood pressure. It's not that pizza once in a while will hurt because it won't, but pizza everyday or other salty foods everyday, would be problematic. My point is that I hope someone talks with her about food that can help with blood pressure. Also, the nicotine patch can also raise blood pressure. Your mom needs to have an electronic blood pressure monitoring machine at home so that she can keep track of her blood pressure and note if anything like the patch or eating too much pizza (or other salty foods) raises her pressure. You can get these at a pharmacy and they are not very expensive - maybe $40.00.

Tell your mom we are all so happy that she is doing well!