Thoughts About High Blood Pressure

Image Credit: www.nhf.org.nz/images/Heart%20works.jpg


Did You Know?

1. That high blood pressure is known as the silent killer?
   
2. That your body can suffer damage for years before you know you have the disease?
   
3. That 50% of the blood pressure medications are not taken as prescribed?
   
4. That your blood pressure may read differently depending on which arm you use for the reading?
   
5. That losing even 10 pounds can help you lower your blood pressure?
   
6. That 1 our of every 3 adults in the United States suffer from high blood pressure?
   

Here is a checklist to get you ready for your doctor visit.

1. Do you need to lose weight?
   
2. Do you smoke?
   
3. Do you drink alcohol regularly?
   
4. Do you have a family history of high blood pressure?
   
5. Do you have diabetes, kidney disease or sleep apnea?
6. Do you get regular exercise?
7. Do you eat healthy?
   
8. Do you take medications or over the counter medications? List them.
   

What is hypertension, or high blood pressure?

Basically, blood pressure is the force of your blood pressing on the walls of your arteries. Every time your heart beats your blood is forced into your arteries. Your blood pressure is the highest when your heart beats. Your blood pressure is lower in between beats. At night when you are resting your blood pressure is lower. When you are excited or stressed your blood pressure will usually be higher. It is possible to have hypertension for years and never experience even one symptom. You should have regular check ups to keep a handle on what your blood pressure is doing. You cannot find out any other way.

Update On Swine Flu Outbreak

World Health Organization Image Credit: Ben Heine Flickr

WHO to Member Countries: Flu Pandemic Has Begun

Today the World Health Organization is expected to issue an update to their previous alerts informing member countries that the flu pandemic has begun. This means that WHO has scientific verification that the H1N1 virus (Swine Flu) is circling the globe. While WHO believes that this is a moderate outbreak and does not advocate that countries close their borders, they do state that 74 countries have reported 27, 737 cases that include 141 deaths. Agents of WHO have made it clear that most cases are actually mild and no treatment is required other than the standard flu medications. The scientific community is being urged to create a vaccine as early as possible but the greatest threat remains to poorer countries without access to adequate healthcare facilities.
Follow this link to get the latest numbers and figures from around the world at the World Health Organization.

We do not need to panic but use common sense and take precautions. Use good hand washing techniques and cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing. Also avoid close spaces and large crowded areas.

Centers For Disease Control and Prevention

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The CDC is a storehouse of information where you can find out anything you need to know about your health and prevention techniques. Here are a number of links to information that will start you on your way to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Explore the site.

• Child Development
• Eat your Fruits and Veggies
• Food Safety
• Healthy Joints
• Healthy Pets, Healthy People
• Healthy Swimming
• Heart Disease Prevention
• HIV/AIDS Prevention
• Healthy Water

• Healthy Weight
• Prevent Diabetes
• Prevent Skin Cancer
• Preventive Cancer Screenings
• Quit Smoking
• STDs Prevention
• Stroke Prevention
• WISEWOMA

Learn more about current programs and information that will help you in your search for healthy living!