In our last segment of the Kidney Korner, we began the introduction to blood pressure. In this segment, we will be discussing how to take blood pressure readings. 

Step-by-Step Instructions for Taking Your Blood Pressure:
For Upper Arm Blood Pressure Cuffs:

1. Remove clothing and jewelry from the arm you will be using for a reading. These may interfere with the reading’s accuracy. 
   1. Make sure any rolled or adjusted sleeves are not constricting blood flow.
2. Sit down at a table or desk.
   1. Uncross legs and ankles
   2. Sit with good posture and feet flat on the ground
3. Open the blood pressure cuff and loosen fully
   1. Plug the cuff into the machine, if not already done
4. With your arm facing upwards, slide the cuff up to the upper arm
   1. You want the cuff placed one to two fingers width above the bend of the elbow, with about one finger width of space between the cuff and your arm.
   2. The tube should be in line or centered with the vein down your arm.
5. Locate the end of the cuff, pull to begin to tighten the cuff
6. Wrap the velcro around your arm, and secure, ensuring that the arrow indicator is within the guidelines.
7. The machine and your arm should be resting around heart level for the most optimal reading.
   1. Rest arm in a relatively relaxed position with your palm facing up
8. Depending on your machine, press start or go, based on the instructions.
9. Don’t talk or move during the reading!
10. Record your reading
11. Based on cuff instructions, let the machine turn itself off, or press stop.
12. Remove the velcro entirely after the cuff deflates. Do not slide the cuff off your arm.

For Wrist Blood Pressure Cuffs:

1. Follow the same first two steps as listed above
2. With your wrist facing upwards, slide the cuff onto your wrist.
   1. You want the cuff placed one to two fingers width above the end of your wrist, with about one finger width of space between the cuff and your wrist.
3. Secure the cuff.
4. The machine and your arm should be resting around heart level for the most optimal reading.
   1. Rest arm in a relatively relaxed position with your palm facing up
   2. Do not cross your arm over your chest or hold your arm in mid air. These positions affect proper blood flow and may cause an inaccurate reading.
5. Depending on your machine, press start or go, based on the instructions.
6. Don’t talk or move during the reading!
7. Record your reading
8. Based on cuff instructions, let the machine turn itself off, or press stop.
9. Remove the velcro entirely after the cuff deflates. Do not slide the cuff off your wrist.

My blood pressure is higher than normal for me. What should I do?
If you are experiencing an episode of high blood pressure, we advise that you take a second reading. The first may be an outlier due to acute stress or moving your body before taking the reading. Before taking a second reading, follow these suggestions:

1. Do not take off the cuff unless you feel it was placed incorrectly (ex: too tight, too loose, improper position on arm, etc.)
2. Remain in your seat.
3. Take 5-10 minutes to breathe deeply. 
4. Close your eyes and go to a happy place in your mind.

When you are ready, take your reading again. The second reading is usually the most accurate. If the second reading is still high or concerning, contact your medical provider for guidance. 

Tips for Taking Accurate Readings

• Consistency is key! Take readings on the same arm and in the same conditions or circumstances each time.
• Take your blood pressure 1-2 hours after taking your medications and when you are most relaxed.
• Do not slide your cuff off as this can damage the cuff and its ability to inflate properly. Always fully remove the velcro when you are finished taking your readings. 
• Take a second reading if you are unsure if your first is accurate following the above steps.
• Avoid eating, caffeine, and smoking before taking a reading.

Helpful Videos:
https://youtu.be/gUHALsLeeoM
https://youtu.be/GSNZVaW1Wg4

If you are unsure that you are taking your blood pressure properly, call our office for guidance from your care team. 

This website is for informational and educational purposes ONLY. While we strive for accurate, general medical information, this does not replace professional medical advice. Do not rely solely on this information. Please consult with your provider for more information regarding your specific needs. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1.
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‘Tis the season of giving! There are a number of ways in which we can all give back to the ones we love and our communities this holiday season. 

1. Give the Gift of Life: Organ Donation
   1. Anyone can donate organs, regardless of age and medical history. You can become an organ donor by signing up online through your state registry or at the local department of motor vehicles. There are a variety of organs and tissues that can be donated, both while alive and after passing away. 
      1. Living Organ Donation: One kidney, one liver lobe, a lung or part of a lung, part of the pancreas, part of the intestines
      2. Living Tissue Donation: skin, bone, bone marrow, umbilical cord, amnion, and blood
      3. Deceased Organ Donation: heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas, intestines, and corneas
   2. For more information on organ donation, you can visit: 
      1. United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS)
      2. Mayo Clinic- Organ Donation
      3. UF Health- Transplant Center
      4. Donate Life America    
2. Give the Gift of Time: Volunteering Opportunities
   1. Soup Kitchens and Food Banks like Feeding America
   2. Homeless shelters
   3. Fire Departments
   4. Hospitals
   5. Nursing Homes
   6. Offer to help neighbors with household chores or errands
3. Give the Gift of Resources: Fundraising, Going to Charity Events, and Donation
   1. National Kidney Foundation Annual Kidney Walk National Kidney Foundation- Get Involved
   2. Jacksonville Charity Events- Eventbrite
   3. Donate money to a charity that works towards a cause that you believe in
   4. Use Amazon Smile to send a portion of your purchase(s) to charities of your choice
   5. Donate clothes, shoes, household supplies, food, books, furniture, decorations, kitchen appliances, and more
      1. GoodWill
      2. Salvation Army
      3. VA centers
      4. City Rescue Mission (CRM)
      5. Hospice Thrift stores (Haven Hospice, Community Hospice, etc.)
      6. Local churches
   6. Hurricane Ian Relief:
      1. Red Cross
      2. Salvation Army
      3. Feeding Tampa Bay

Resources:
https://www.organdonor.gov/learn/process/living-donation#:~:text=As%20a%20living%20donor%2C%20you,or%20part%20of%20the%20intestines.
https://unos.org/transplant/deceased-donation/

**This information is not sponsored**

The holidays are just around the corner which means celebrations filled with family, food, and fun. For those with kidney disease and hypertension, it is important to remain aware of what and how much is being consumed. Below are some recipes and recommendations to help you stay healthy through the holidays.

Holiday Tips:

• Be aware of your fluid consumption. For those with fluid restrictions, please adhere to your prescribed diet. 
• Moderation is key! Small portions will help to control the amount of excess sodium.
• Limit sodium intake: table salt (sodium chloride) is usually not the culprit. Processed foods will contain more sodium due to preservatives. Replace salt with other dried or fresh herbs, spices, and vegetables (garlic, ginger, peppers, onions, etc.).
• Request refills of medications at least two weeks in advance to account for holiday pharmacy hours and office closures. Appointments may be required for refills. 
• Try to incorporate light exercise into your daily routine. This can include walking, stretching, indoor cycling, or water aerobics.
• If you have a fluid restriction, be sure to monitor your fluid intake as well. 

Recipes:
Drinks:

• Northwest Kidney Centers: Ginger Cranberry Punch
• Mayo Clinic: Blackberry Iced Tea with Cinnamon and Ginger

    Sides:

• Northwest Kidney Centers: Roasted Cranberry Sauce
• Northwest Kidney Centers: Collard Greens
• Puget Sound Kidney Centers: Herb Stuffing

Main Course:

• Northwest Kidney Centers: Honey Herb Glazed Turkey

Desserts:

• The Kidney Dietitian: Blueberry Cobbler
• National Kidney Foundation: Apple Puffs

Foods to stay away from:
Foods with a high potassium content: spinach, beans, squash, tomato, all potatoes
Foods with a high phosphorus content: beans, dairy, nuts, processed foods

Check out other posts on our blog for information on medication management tips while traveling and our Facebook page for additional Tasty Tuesday holiday recipes that are kind to your kidneys. 

Happy Holidays!

​​This website is for informational and educational purposes ONLY. While we strive for accurate, general medical information, this does not replace professional medical advice. Do not rely solely on this information. Please consult with your provider for more information regarding your specific needs. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1.

The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod is a book that details 6 habits to transform your mornings and your life. We have found it helpful in creating more productive mornings and better days overall. A positive start to the day is the best fuel for success.

The Six Habits:
Hal discusses six habits that will transform your life before 8am. He uses the acronym S.A.V.E.R.S. 

1. S- Silence: Engaging in a moment of silence each morning can help to reduce stress, bring clarity, and relax the mind and body to begin the day with a sense of peace and calm. Examples of silence in the mornings can include prayer, meditation, gratitude, deep breathing, and reflection. 
2. A- Affirmations: Affirmations can be both positive and negative. The thoughts we repeat are what we become. By repeating positive affirmations about ourselves and our goals, we begin to believe them and, in turn, become them. 
3. V- Visualization: Visualization, also known as creative visualization or mental rehearsal, is the process of creating an image in your mind of the specific behaviors and outcomes you wish to see.
4. E- Exercise: Exercise in the morning can enhance your mindset and physical wellbeing. A little as a few minutes of aerobic exercise in the morning can help to improve the flow of blood and oxygen as well as enhance mental clarity.
5. R- Reading: Reading about successes and self-improvement will put you on a fast track to becoming more successful yourself. Hal recommends reading at least 10 pages in the morning. This will greatly increase your knowledge base and inspire growth in all areas of your life.
6. S- Scribing: Journaling is a form of scribing that can give insight to your mind, organize your thoughts, and work to clear your headspace. By journaling for 5-10 minutes in the morning, you can work through what may be bothering you from the previous day and begin to plan the day ahead of you. Journaling can also  help you track your growth and progress overtime. 

Hal follows up on his S.A.V.E.R.S method by explaining how to customize your Miracle Morning to make the most of your day. 

How it has helped our office
We have been able to see an increase in productivity and success when we practice S.A.V.E.R.S and other habits in the Morning Miracle. By jump starting our day, we are ready bright and early to take care of our patients and our team with passion and positivity.

​How it can help our patients
By starting the morning off in a peaceful, productive, and positive mindset, our patients are setting themselves up for success throughout the day. No matter what the day entails, a positive start promotes a positive outcome. 

You can visit the Miracle Morning website here to learn more about Hal’s books, the habits you can form, and all of the resources available to help you transform your mornings!