Measuring blood pressure with an FSA
How a home blood pressure monitor can improve your numbers
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is among the most common health issues faced by U.S. adults. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 70 million Americans, or 1 in 3 adults, suffer from hypertension. High blood pressure can lead to major health issues like heart attacks, stroke or aneurysms, but alarmingly, just 52 percent of Americans actively work to control their conditions.
Improving your blood pressure numbers is largely tied to losing weight, increasingly your physical activity level, quitting smoking and ingesting less salt, but continual monitoring of these numbers is vital to the success of any treatment plan. Are you ready to take control of your hypertension? Let's examine some of these device's most pivotal benefits:
Eliminate false readings
If you're the kind of person who dreads going to the doctor's office or experiences anxiety, this could be affecting your blood pressure readings. Doctors refer to this as "white coat hypertension," and it's a major reason why home blood pressure monitoring in the comfort of one's home can lead to more accurate readings.
Longitudinal monitoring
Regular home blood pressure monitoring will allow you to create a time lapse picture of the state of your hypertension, so you can make the requisite changes to your treatment plan. Additionally, keeping a log or printing out your readings to share with your doctor can give him/her a better sense of your heart health and what additional steps you should take going forward.
Control your condition
As you change factors that affect your hypertension, be it medications, diet or a new fitness regimen, a home blood pressure monitor will allow you to actively track these numbers over time. For many hypertension sufferers, this is a form of empowerment that allows them to control their condition and see incremental progress over time that can improve their chances of reaching an improved standard of health.
Using your FSA to monitor blood pressure with an FSA:
You can use your FSA to set up a visit with a physician and get a checkup. FSA use: co-pays, deductibles or co-insurance. You cannot use an FSA to cover a premium, however. Learn more about FSA covered expenses via the FSA Eligibility List.
Did you know you can shop for blood pressure monitors with an FSA?
If you're interested in a home blood pressure monitor or other diagnostic products, be sure to visit FSAstore.com!
Check out the handy smart-phone compatible QardioArm blood pressure monitor. This easy-to-use blood pressure monitor is not only FSA-approved and used by medical professionals, but can detect irregular heart beats, and and is clinically validated. Bring the QardioArm with you anywhere you go as it's light and compact. This blood pressure monitor can be connected wirelessly to your smartphone or tablet and all you have to do is press START to activate it.
You can download the Qardio iOS App from the App Store, and monitor your readings and share data with loved ones or your doctor. QardioArm is compatible with iPhone 4s or later, iPad 3rd gen or later, iPad Air, iPad mini, iPod Touch 5th gen or later. It requires Bluetooth 4.0 and iOS 7.0 or later.
Shop for Qardio at FSAstore.com.