Listen to your body: Taking care of your health requires attention | Rosalind Tompkins

I was diagnosed with hypertension several years ago and I have been taking medication to keep it under control. For some reason, this year it began to spike despite the medication. I found out when I visited a nutritionist. When she took my blood pressure she asked if I felt OK. I told her that I did, and she stated that my blood pressure was a bit high.

I knew this was not a good sign, so I called my doctor, scheduled an appointment, and began taking my blood pressure readings at home and recording them. My blood pressure readings confirmed that my blood pressure was indeed high. At first, I panicked and then I prayed about it and decided to wait and see my physician because the readings were not critical but much too high.

When I was diagnosed with hypertension, I read about it and understood that it was considered a silent killer and that it was also hereditary. It could lead to heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure; therefore, I knew the importance of keeping it under control. My question was why it was not. What caused it to be so high?

I thank God for Dr. Cynthia Kimble my family physician who I have been going to for decades. She was able to help me to put it in the proper context and share with me what I needed to do.

I felt much better after speaking with her and developing a plan of action. I am pleased to say that my blood pressure is better now, and I am committed to doing what I need to do to keep it that way.

I realized from this experience that it is important to always be aware of what is happening in your body because even if you do not feel unwell there could be something that needs to be addressed. It is also important to have a health care professional that you trust and know cares about your health.

Rosalind Y. Tompkins received a doctorate of humanities degree from the Five Fold Ministry Theological University in 2012. Find out more at makeahopeconnection.com.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Taking care of your health is reason to be hopeful