HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

What is high blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the force of blood as it moves through the blood vessels.  If blood cannot flow easily through the vessels, the force increases.  If the force is too great, you have high blood pressure.

High blood pressure is a serious disease. It increases the workload on the heart and blood vessels and can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney problems and even blindness.

The medical term for high blood pressure is hypertension.  High blood pressure is dangerous because it makes the heart work too hard and contributes to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).  It increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, the first and third leading causes of death among Americans.

How can I tell if I have high blood pressure?

High blood pressure usually has no symptoms.  In fact, many people have high blood pressure for years without knowing it.  That's why it's call the "silent killer".  In 90-95 percent of cases, the cause of high blood pressure is unknown.

A single elevated blood pressure reading doesn't mean you have high blood pressure, but it's a sign that further observation is required.  The only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked.

What do blood pressure numbers indicate?

The higher (systolic) number represents the pressure while the heart is beating.

The lower (diastolic) number represents the pressure when the heart is resting between beats.

The systolic pressure is always stated first and the diastolic pressure second.  For example; if a person's blood pressure is 122/76 (122 over 76), the systolic pressure is 122 and the diastolic pressure is 76.

HIGH CHOLESTEROL

Anyone can have high blood cholesterol; there are no warning signs.  The only way to find out about your cholesterol level is to have your health care professional perform a lipoprotein profile test (after a nine-to 12-hour fast), which measures total blood cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides.  The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) has developed a series of recommendations for the evaluation of total blood cholesterol.  Total blood cholesterol should be measured at least once every five years in adults 20 and older.

Cholesterol Guidelines*

The following cholesterol guideline recommendations were developed by NCEP:

*Note:  New cholesterol guidelines were adapted by NCEP on May 15, 2001.

How can I lower my cholesterol?

The benefits of lowering blood cholesterol are substantial.  According to studies by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, for every one percent lowering in total blood cholesterol, Americans can reduce heart attack risk by two percent.  For most people, the best way to lower cholesterol is to reduce their intake of saturated fats and to increase physical activity.

HIV/AIDS Program: The Effingham County Health Department is an public health approved HIV counseling and testing site. HIV testing is available anonymously or confidentially. The cost of the HIV test is $20.00 and an appointment can be made by calling the office and speaking to a clinic nurse. Educational information is available upon request.

Industrial Health: The Industrial Health program is new for the Health Department and for the community. Valuable services that are traditionally provided to customers "in the office" are now available on site at many local industries, businesses and agencies.

CPR and First Aid Course
Health Fairs
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