"If you know and control your blood pressure, you can cut your risk of stroke by up to 40 per cent and heart attack by up to 25 per cent," says Heart and Stroke Foundation spokesperson Dr. Beth Abramson. "Lifestyle changes such as following a healthy, low sodium diet, being physically active, being smoke-free, achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, and managing stress all reduce your risk."
She says this study suggests that e-counselling, paired with monitoring by a physician and the proper medication, is a promising trio for people dealing with high blood pressure.
With such encouraging results, Dr. Nolan and his team are currently exploring the benefits of e-counselling further with a larger and longer-term clinical trial.
"Our next goal is to study whether e-counselling may also help with adherence to medications for blood pressure control," says Dr. Nolan. "Ongoing support from an e-counselling program may be an effective way to provide education and encouragement to help patients maintain the benefit of their medical treatment."
The Foundation's Heart&Stroke Health eSupport (heartandstroke.ca/healthesupport) is a free, tailored email follow-up service which sends periodic emails to provide users with information and tips tailored to their current situation, helping them to move closer to making heart-healthy lifestyle changes.
Developed by experts, this interactive program creates personalized action plans for users by guiding them through a personalized risk assessment and identifying their personal risk of heart disease and stroke, and provides tips, advice and support to help reduce their risks.
'/>"/>
| Contact: Amanda Bates amanda@curvecommunications.com 604-306-0027 Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada Source:Eurekalert |