Health News
Rachel Malecha is volunteering to do blood pressure checks at Trinity and also have health tips in the newsletter. She is going to school to be a nurse and will graduate this spring. Rachel will do blood pressure checks after church the 2nd Sundays of the month and every 4th Wednesday at 6:30pm starting Jan. 30th. If you have any questions for her feel free to ask. She will be offering more things as she graduates and takes the class for parish nursing.
Dates for Blood Pressure Checks:
Wednesday, January 30th
Sunday, February 10th
Wednesday, February 27th
Sunday, March 10th
Wednesday, March 27th
Sunday, April 14th
Wednesday, April 24th
Sunday, May 12th
Wednesday, May 22nd
Health tip for the month:
What you should know about your Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is a measurement of the force against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood through your body. Blood pressure readings are usually given as two numbers -- for example, 110/75 mmHg. The top number is called the systolic blood pressure, and the bottom number is called the diastolic blood pressure.
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Systolic - The top number, which is also the higher of the two numbers, measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats (when the heart muscle contracts).
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Diastolic - The bottom number, which is also the lower of the two numbers, measures the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats (when the heart muscle is resting between beats and refilling with blood).
Your blood pressure rises with each heartbeat and falls when your heart relaxes between beats. While BP can change from minute to minute with changes in posture, exercise, stress or sleep, it should normally be less than 120/80 mm Hg (less than 120 systolic AND less than 80 diastolic) for an adult age 20 or over. About one in three (33.5%) U.S. adults have high blood pressure.
How is high blood pressure diagnosed? Your healthcare providers will want to get an accurate picture of your blood pressure and chart what happens over time. Starting at age 20, the American Heart Association recommends a blood pressure screening at your regular healthcare visit or once every 2 years, if your blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg.
If your blood pressure reading is higher than normal, your doctor may take several readings over time and/or have you monitor your blood pressure at home before diagnosing you with high blood pressure.
A single high reading does not necessarily mean that you have high blood pressure. However, if readings stay at 140/90 mm Hg or above (systolic 140 or above OR diastolic 90 or above) over time, your doctor will likely want you to begin a treatment program. Such a program almost always includes lifestyle changes and often prescription medication for those with readings of 140/90 or higher.
If, while monitoring your blood pressure, you get a systolic reading of 180 mm Hg or higher OR a diastolic reading of 110 mm HG or higher, wait a couple of minutes and take it again. If the reading is still at or above that level, you should seek immediate emergency medical treatment.
Even if your blood pressure is normal, you should consider making lifestyle modifications to prevent the development of high blood pressure and improve your heart health.
If your are interested in having your blood pressure checked, Rachel Malecha will be in the office the 2nd Sunday of the month during social hour as well as one Wednesday per month at 6:30pm. Please watch the bulletin and newsletter for dates.
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