Monday, May 16, 2011

May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month

Nearly 68 million people have high blood pressure, which is also called hypertension. Hypertension increases the risk for heart disease and stroke, the first and third leading causes of death. One out of three adults in the United States has high blood pressure.

Blood pressure that is slightly higher than normal is called prehypertension. People with prehypertension are more likely to develop high blood pressure than are people with normal blood pressure levels.

Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80. Prehypertension blood pressures are 120/80 through 139/89. High blood pressure (hypertension) is any blood pressure of 140/90 or higher.

You can maintain healthy blood pressure by changing your lifestyle or combining lifestyle changes with prescribed medications.

Key lifestyle changes include the following—

· Have your blood pressure checked regularly.

· Maintain a normal body weight

· Take at least 1 brisk 10-minute walk, 3 times a day, 5 days a week. Follow a healthy eating plan of a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and low in sodium.

· Quit smoking.

· If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation (no more than 2 drinks per day for men and no more than 1 drink per day for women).

· If you have high blood pressure and are prescribed medication(s), take as directed.

General Health Clinic encourages you to monitor and maintain healthy blood pressures. The Clinic welcomes most major insurances along with Medicare and Medicaid. Payments by cash, credit cards, and debit cards are accepted. The clinic is located at the junction of highways 148 and JJ in Hopkins, Missouri. The office will be open Saturday, May 28 from 9 to noon and Monday, May 30 from 1 to 4. Appointments can be made by calling 660-778-3209.

Source: http://www.cdc.gov/Features/HighBloodPressure/

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