May 15, 2007
Blood pressure is an important subject related to heart health and deserves attention. It is easily understood with simple explanations of how the body works.
As the heart contracts, blood is pumped through the bodys arteries. Blood pressure is the force of the blood on the walls of the arteries, similar to the pressure of water running through a garden hose. We are told that our blood pressure is one number over another. The top number represents systolic blood pressure, which is the force of blood on the arterial walls as the heart contracts and forces blood out of the heart. The bottom number represents diastolic blood pressure, which is the force of the blood on the arterial walls in between heart contractions.
The classification (table on previous page) of blood pressure only concerns resting blood pressure. When resting blood pressure is high (hypertension), damage to the arteries causes plaque to build up (arteriosclerosis), an excessive workload is placed on the heart, and will eventually lead to stroke, heart disease, or kidney failure, and possibly death, if not controlled with medicine, dietary changes, or increased physical activity. Obesity, insulin resistance, excessive alcohol drinking, high salt and low potassium intake, lack of physical activity, tobacco use, and even high levels of stress are all causes of high blood pressure.
In addition to medicine, changes in diet and increased physical activity reduce blood pressure to optimal. Changes in diet should include eating less salt (sodium on food labels) and eating more potassium, fruits, and vegetables. Getting an accumulation of 30 minutes from periods of 10 minutes or longer of physical activity every day should be emphasized. Walking with family and friends, playing basketball, and putting away our motorized vehicle keys and walking to the store, post office, or job instead are all great examples of physical activity. Bethel and other villages have plenty of free physical activity resources.
GET IT CHECKED!During the month of May,
Ben Marx will be
checking blood pressure
in the Bethel Hospital lobby
every Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Contact Ben Marx for more information
1-800-478-4471 ext. 6904 or 543-6904
benjamin_marx@ykhc.org