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B LOOD P R E S SUR E SCR E EN I NG I S ONE OF THE
most important health checks every adult should have
routinely. It’s estimated that nearly 1 in 3 U.S. adults has
high blood pressure. High blood pressure damages your
blood vessels, heart, kidneys and other vital organs. It can
lead to heart attack and stroke, which are the first and
third leading causes of death in the U.S.
PeaceHealth Southwest’s Heart & Vascular Center
is excited to unveil the new HeartCheck Center at
the Westfield Shopping Mall in Vancouver, offering
free blood pressure checks on the mall’s lower
level outside of Macy’s.
Our HeartCheck Center is a great way to learn
more about the importance of routine blood pressure
screenings. The kiosk display also spotlights various
programs and services offered at PeaceHealth Southwest
for achieving and maintaining good health, such as local
cardiovascular care, Find Your Doctor Right information,
and weight and diabetes help.
No appointment is needed. There are no fees or invasive
procedures. Stop by and check it out!
High blood pressure isn’t a big deal.
Actually,
high blood pressure is known as a silent killer
because you may not realize you have it until a major
catastrophic event, such as heart attack or stroke.
High blood pressure can’t be prevented.
It’s true
that family history and some groups of people are
at higher risk, but blood pressure can be managed with
medication and/or a healthy lifestyle.
High blood pressure is okay as long as
one number is normal.
Truth be told, there
is cause for concern if either or both numbers are
consistently above normal.
Systolic blood pressure (top number):
119 or below is normal systolic blood pressure
120–139 is prehypertension
140 and greater is high blood pressure
Shopping + screening = heart awareness
Is your blood pressure too high? Take a free
online HeartCheck health assessment at
www.HeartHealthAdvisor.com
to see if you
might be at risk for heart attack or stroke.
5 common myths about high blood pressure
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HEART WALK
SIGN UP NOW FOR 2012
HEART AND STROKE WALK
You are invited to join a PHSW
team at the annual Portland/
Vancouver Heart and Stroke Walk
on
Saturday, May 19
, at 8:30 a.m.
at the Vancouver Landing. Help us
raise awareness about the effect
heart disease has in our community,
and raise funds to help improve
preventive services. Last year alone,
the American Heart Association
funded $6.5 million in research for
cardiovascular disease and stroke
within the state of Washington. To
register or for more information, visit
greaterportlandheartwalk.org
.
Diastolic blood pressure (bottom number):
79 or below is normal diastolic blood pressure
80–89 is prehypertension
90 and greater is hypertension
Treatment isn’t worth the trouble.
It can be a
challenge to give up or cut back on your favorite
foods, or to get used to a new medication, but the positives
of medically managing your high blood pressure far
outweigh the negatives.
Treatment doesn’t work.
If you work closely with
your doctor, you can find a treatment program that
works. However, you will need to take a proactive role
in your own health to get the maximum benefits. That
may mean making some minor or significant changes in
your lifestyle, but it will also lead to a better quality of
life for years to come.
www.swmedicalcenter.org
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