Heart to Heart - About Blood Pressure

Ogemaw Hills Free Methodist Church
Faith Health Ministry

Heart to Heart Discussion About High Blood Pressure

Whether your blood pressure is normal or high, every-one should be aware of his or her blood pressure reading. Many people have high blood pressure for years without knowing it. About one in three adults have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. You can have high blood pressure and still feel fine. That is be-cause high blood pressure does not cause symptoms that you can see and feel. Hypertension is a disease that can have health consequences if not treated. This can cause heart attack, stroke, kidney damage, and vision loss, along with other serious health issues. The only way to tell if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked. The good news is that there are ways you can prevent high blood pressure, or control high blood pres-sure if you already have it.

Blood pressure is the force of the blood flowing through your blood vessels as your heart beats. Two numbers are read. The top number is the force of blood in the arteries as the heart beats. The bottom number tells the force of blood in the arteries when the heart is at rest. Over time, if the force of the blood flow remains high, the tissue that makes up the walls of our arteries gets stretched beyond its healthy limit.

You may be at risk for high blood pressure if anyone else in your family has hypertension. The risk increases if you have other health concerns, such as smoking, obesity, and diabetes. High blood pressure can be caused by other diseases as well. You can take steps to prevent high blood pressure or keep your blood pressure under control. Adopting a healthy lifestyle is critical for the prevention and management of hypertension. Make lifestyle changes by maintaining a healthy weight, enjoying regular physical activity, managing stress, avoiding tobacco smoke, and limiting alcohol. Think of these changes as a lifestyle prescription. Follow your doctor’s treatment plan for high blood pressure, which may include medications and ongoing medical care checks. In this way, you can prevent the long term problems associated with high blood pressure.

Roberta S. Beck RN BSN
Faith Health Ministry Coordinator
989-345-6822

Come and join us on Mondays and Fridays, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
at Ogemaw Hills Free Methodist Church gym.

Get out of the cold and into the warmth. Let’s walk and keep our bodies working during these cold months. There’s no cost, just a lot of fun and fellowship while we walk our way to health. This is open to the public, and men and women of all ages are welcome. Bring a friend and Heart Walk with us.

The church is located one mile west of West Branch, on the corner of W. M-55 and Gray Rd. If you have any questions, call the church at 989-345-2260.