a newsletter from Pocahontas Pharmacy, Inc.

Is there value in having a local pharmacist?

by Pat Sturtz, R Ph.


What value do you place on having a local pharmacist that you can trust to provide the best pharmacy services? One that can prepare your prescription in a few minutes and put it in your hand? One that will pay attention to how your new medication will fit in with your existing medications. One that will gladly order medication that isn't in stock and have the next morning? One that will be available to speak personally about your medication questions within a couple of minutes of you calling or stopping by the pharmacy? One that will coordinate your medication therapy with all of your medical providers as a regular part of their service? One that is readily available to discuss your medication face to face when you get a new prescription or the umpteenth refill? That's what our pharmacists do every day.

We have local employees who spend their wages in the local community, pay taxes, and participate in the local activities. Does your mail order company do that? The money that you save by sending your business out of state begins to erode your local community and its ability to thrive. Mail order pharmacies need the local pharmacy some of the time (like when you need pain medication, or an antibiotic), but your local community needs a local pharmacy all of the time. Pocahontas has become the area’s medical center. Can you imagine Pocahontas having a hospital, four local medical providers, two dentists, and one optometrist and no local pharmacy? That may become a reality if more and more people use mail order pharmacies. If you feel strongly about supporting your local community, let your prescription insurance provider know that you don’t want to use their mail order pharmacy services. Your local pharmacy and your community will thank you!

Monitoring your High Blood Pressure at Home

Has your doctor recommended keeping closer tabs on your blood pressure? One convenient way to do this is by monitoring your blood pressure at home, in between doctor visits. You can do this in a matter of minutes.

But first, a refresher. What is blood pressure and what do the numbers mean? Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. Blood pressure is actually the measure of two numbers. Systolic pressure is the force on artery walls when your heart beats. Diastolic pressure is the force on your arteries between beats – when your heart is relaxed. Blood pressure is invisible and silent, but can also be deadly when it's too high – 140/90 or higher.

Home monitors can help in many ways. You can use them to spot high blood pressure (hypertension) early, especially if you have another condition that puts you at higher risk. The American Heart Association suggests that anyone with high blood pressure – that's one-third of American adults – keeps monitoring it at home. Home monitors are a way to see if your medication and lifestyle changes are keeping your blood pressure within a safe range. All in all, home monitors can help you take control of your health while cutting health care costs.

You can buy a home monitor right here in our store without a prescription. If you need help finding the right one for you, let us know. But here is some information to get you started.Home monitors have these parts:

An inflatable cuff or strap. An inner layer fills with air and squeezes your arm. An outer layer holds the cuff in place. You inflate the cuff manually by pumping a bulb. Or, this occurs at the touch of a button using a digital device. This depends upon the type you buy.

A gauge. This is either a digital readout or a dial that points to the blood pressure number. Not all home monitors have stethoscopes, but if yours does, you can listen to the sounds your blood makes as it flows through an artery in the crook of your elbow. Digital cuffs record this information for you.

Here are some things to consider before buying a home monitor:
> If you're overweight or very muscular, look for a monitor with a larger arm cuff.

> A digital wrist monitor might be best if you can't find an arm cuff that fits, or if arm monitors cause too much discomfort.

> If you have hearing loss, a monitor with a digital display might be best.

> Although available, devices that measure blood pressure at your finger aren't recommended.

Just getting started? Give yourself some time to learn how to use your home monitor. Measure your blood pressure twice daily to start, but not right when you first wake up. Avoid food, caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco for at least 30 minutes beforehand. Empty your bladder and sit still for at least three to five minutes before beginning. Raise your arm to heart level and don't talk while testing

If you run into any trouble, bring your home monitor to me and we can make sure you're using it properly and that it's calibrated for accurate readings. I'm here to help.

_{Sources MedlinePlus: "High Blood Pressure." http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/highbloodpressure.html NIH News: "NIH Study: High blood pressure linked to steeper decline in walking speeds in seniors." http://www.nih.gov/news/health/mar2011/nhlbi-15.htm Mayo Clinic: "Get the most out of home blood pressure monitoring." http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-blood-pressure/HI00016/METHOD=print}

In the Spotlight...

Welcome, Rachel (Rittgers) Poppen! In June you will see her bright, smiling face as part of our pharmacy staff. Rachel will graduate from University of Iowa College of Pharmacy in May and will be moving back to her home area! In her free time, Rachel enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, scrapbooking, and jewelry making. She is really looking forward to being your trusted healthcare professional at Pocahontas Pharmacy. We are excited to have Rachel join our staff!

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