Hypertension

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common health problem in the United States. About 1 in 3 Americans has it, but many people don’t know they have it, because most of the time there are no symptoms.  Blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. When your blood pressure is high the blood in your arteries is moving at a pressure higher than normal. The exact cause of high blood pressure is not known, however many different factors can play a role, including clogged arteries which comes from being overweight, lack of physical activity, smoking, too much salt in the diet, older age, genetics/family history, and even race. African-Americans are much more likely than Caucasians and other ethnic groups to develop high blood pressure, totaling at least 40% of the population. High blood pressure tends to start at a younger age among African-Americans, is often more severe, and causes greater risks for premature death from heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and kidney failure. High Blood Pressure is known as the silent killer, because there are often know symptoms or warning signs, it can quietly damage arteries and organs for years before the person even knows that anything is wrong. Not only are you more likely to suffer from heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and aneurysms, but it can also cause damage in the brain and lead to dementia or alzheimer’s disease.

It’s important to get your blood pressure checked at least once a year, preferably more often than that, and you should know your numbers.  Normal blood pressure tends to be 120/80, but varies slightly with age and in the presence of other diseases such as diabetes. If you have high blood pressure make sure to take all prescribed medications, maintain a healthy diet low in salt, and get plenty of exercise.


Read more...

Do you know your ABC’s?

Do you know your ABC’s?

 

A is for A1C: a blood test that measures your blood sugar or blood glucose levels over the last 2-3 months. It is a percentage which ranges from 4-12. High A1C can put you at risk for future health problems including diabetes.

B is for Blood Pressure: As your heart pumps blood through your body, pressure is applied to the inside walls of your blood vessels. If you have high blood pressure, your heart is working harder than it should and you maybe be at risk for stroke, heart attack, and even kidney disease.

C is for Cholesterol: a form of fat that can build up in your blood. There are three parts to cholesterol that can be measured – low density lipoproteins or LDL, high density lipoproteins or HDL, and triglycerides. It’s important to keep your LDL or bad cholesterol and triglycerides lower because they can pose a risk to your health. HDL or good cholesterol helps to remove excess cholesterol from building up in your arteries which can put you at greater risk for heart attack and stroke.

 

It’s important to know your ABC’s, it can help lower your risk for diabetes, or help you successfully manage diabetes if you already have it.

-American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE)


Read more...

Living Well | CELEBRATE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

HELP US STOP DIABETES® IN OUR COMMUNITY
During Hispanic Heritage Month, Nordstrom and the American Diabetes Association encourage families to discuss any family history of diabetes, a conversation that could help Stop Diabetes®before it starts.

Find out if you’re at risk for developing type 2 diabetes by taking a quick risk test and Nordstrom will make a $5 donation to the American Diabetes Association up to $75,000. Proceeds will benefit Ferias de Salud Por Tu Familia, part of the Association’s diabetes prevention and education programs.

Diabetes is a serious disease that affects nearly 1 in 2 Latinos and Hispanics. Many more don’t know they have it, making this a pressing health problem in our community. But together we can make a difference.

 

Living Well | CELEBRATE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

David Chavez – Kansas City, Kansas

I want to stop diabetes because it’s a horrendous disease that’s disproportionately affecting Latino communities across America.

My mother has lived with diabetes for the past 10 years, and I have watched her manage it with the proper regimen and diet. I admire her determination to beat diabetes and live as normal a life as possible. Sometimes I wonder if I could have her strength and will, and if I am next, as the disease moves through families.

Additionally, I worry about my six children, especially knowing the statistics of diabetes in today’s youth. I’m committed to doing all I can personally and professionally to fight diabetes. Stop Diabetes® is more than a slogan—it’s the freedom of the Hispanic community to prosper and grow to contribute to the American dream. It’s all I want for mi familia!

To take a quick risk test, go to Stop Diabetes®.


Read more...

4 Responses to “Blog”

  1. Jane says:

    awesome…

    It is appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I want to suggest you some interesting things or tips. Perhaps you can write next articles referring to this article. I wish to re…

  2. Recommended Reading…

    […]I blog quite often and I genuinely thank you for your information. This article has really peaked my interest. I’m going to book mark your website and keep checking for new details about once per week. I opted in for your RSS feed too.[…]…

  3. Third Flower…

    My wife and i happen to be now delighted that Albert could execute his scientific studies as a consequence of the ideas he had as a result of your web content. It really is from time to time perplexing to simply always be giving freely methods which a …

  4. Zoe Munch says:

    The Slave of the Husband…

    Trying to get forward to finding out added from you afterward!……