HEALTH
MINISTRY UPDATE
NEW
OFFICE HOURS: The
health ministry office will be open every Wednesday from 5PM until 6:30Pm.
Someone will be available during these hours to check Blood
Pressures or to discuss concerns. If you have a need at a time other than these, call the
church office for assistance.
CPR
CLASS SCHEDULED: If you witnessed a family member or someone else become unconscious and
stop breathing, would you know what to do?
What if your child or grandchild began to choke, what would you do?
See Norma Underwood or Valerie Melton for information.
Step Forward is a Christian based twelve step program to lose weight and to keep it off!
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HIGH
BLOOD PRESSURE
WHAT IS BLOOD PRESSURE?
v
When
your heart pumps, it forces blood through your vessels.
This force is called blood pressure.
v
When
the pressure is greater than it should be, it is called hypertension or
high blood pressure.
HOW IS BLOOD PRESSURE
MEASURED?
Ø
Blood
pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
Using a standard blood pressure cuff and stethoscope to check the
blood pressure, you will detect two values.
The first number will be what is called the systolic value which
measures the maximum pressure put on the blood vessels as the heart beats…this
is the heart at work.
Ø
The
second number will be what is called the diastolic value which measures
the minimum blood pressure, or that exerted when the heart relaxes…this
is the heart at rest.
WHAT ARE THE RECOMMENDED
LEVELS FOR BLOOD PRESSURE?
The latest recommended blood pressures
from the American Heart Association are as follows:
Blood Pressure Category
Systolic
Diastolic
(mmHg)
(mmHg)
Normal
less than 120
and
less than 80
Prehypertension
120-139
or
80-89
High
Stage 1
140-159
or
90-99
Stage 2
160 or higher
or
100 or higher
WHAT ARE SOME CAUSES FOR
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?
Most
cases of hypertension are from unknown causes.
Some forms of hypertension have been noted to run in families.
Others possible causes include stress, improper diet, lack of
exercise, and being overweight. Some problems result from other health
problems which will need to be evaluated by your physician.
WHY DOES MY BLOOD PRESSURE
GO UP AND DOWN SO MUCH?
Blood
pressure normally fluctuates with age, activity and emotional stress.
For example, if you are under a lot of stress, your blood pressure
will be higher than if you are relaxed.
If you are exercising, it will usually be higher.
Blood pressure also can fluctuate with the time of day.
It is usually higher in the morning and lowest at night during
sleep. If you are on
medication for your blood pressure, it is possible that you will need to
discuss any significant fluctuations with your physicians.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?
High
blood pressure is generally a symptomless condition.
It has sometimes been called the “silent killer” because it
doesn’t cause symptoms for many years until a vital organ is damaged.
Some people do experience some of the following signs and symptoms:
headache, dizziness, fainting, numbness, weakness, changes in
vision, chest pain, irregular heart beat, swelling, nosebleeds.
If you are experiencing these symptoms, you need to discuss this
with your physician.
WHAT CAN I DO IF I HAVE HIGH
BLOOD PRESSURE?
First
of all, see a physician and discuss your concerns. Follow his recommendations which will depend upon the
severity of your high blood pressure.
If you have Prehypertension, he will probably recommend management
with a low sodium diet, weight loss if indicated and increased exercise. For Stage 1 or Stage 2 hypertension, he will recommend the
same treatment and then include medication to lower your blood pressure.
It is important that you follow his instructions.
I HAVE JUST FOUND OUT THAT I
HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, WHAT CAN THE HEALTH MINISTRY DO TO HELP ME?
The
Congregational Health nurse will be available to discuss your concerns.
It is not unusual to feel disturbed when you find out that you have
high blood pressure. Remember,
you are not alone. She will
have information about high blood pressure, diet and exercise that you can
read. She can monitor your
blood pressure and provide a record for you to keep your doctor informed
of your progress. She can
teach you and your family how to check your blood pressure if you need to
learn this procedure. She can
also help you find answers for any other questions that you might have
related to your health.