Health Corner

Do you ever wonder why we take blood pressures every month? We do this to check for hypertension(high blood pressure) Hypertension is a silent killer. One third of the people who have high blood pressure do not know it. This is because hypertension does not necessarily make you feel bad until after serious damage has occurred. Hypertension can lead to strokes, heart disease and kidney failure.

Risk factors for hypertension include:

• Family history – if it is in your family, you too could have it
• Age – the older you are the higher your risk
• Smoking
• Drinking
• Being overweight
• Unhealthy diets high in protein, fat and salt
• Lack of exercise
• Diabetes.

Those individuals who have any of these risk factors should have their blood pressure measured routinely.

Getting your blood pressure taken regularly is a healthy habit. Monitoring your blood pressure will help detect a problem early before it has progressed to do silent damage. If you have a single high blood pressure reading it does not necessarily mean that you have hypertension, but you should have your blood pressure checked more frequently to detect a slowly climbing blood pressure that may require interventions. Early detection and treatment of hypertension promotes better health.

Exercise, eating healthy, smoking cessation and decreasing alcohol intake can all contribute to better health.(Ask Laura Tradowsky our resident dietician about the DASH diet and other changes you can make.)These life style modifications may be all that you need to lower your blood pressure to a healthy level. However ,when these changes do not lower your blood pressure your doctor may recommend medications. It is best if you take these medications at the same time every day and do not skip a day unless directed by your doctor. People who take medications for hypertension usually have to be on these medications the rest of their lives and take it every day just like a vitamin.

The healthcare team will confidentially share the results of your blood pressure with you so that you can report them to your doctor. Record card are available that can be kept in your purse or wallet. Healthcare team members can also help provide more information regarding hypertension and what you can do to lead a healthy life. If you like to go on the web to gather information the following web sites are suggested:wwwamericanheart.org

Have you had your blood pressure checked lately? Check us out the first Sunday of each month.

Carol Matthews
Parish Nurse