High blood pressure in older adults PB MERCHANTS TREE LIGHTING
Many older adults have
high blood pressure (hypertension)
and do not know it.
This is because high blood
pressure does not make us
feel sick or cause symptoms
of illness. High blood pressure
is often called the “silent
killer” for this reason. In the
US, approximately 80 million
adults (1 in 3) have high blood
pressure. For those over age
65, 80% have high blood pressure.
Only about half of these
individuals (54%) have it under
control.
If high blood pressure is
not controlled with diet, exercise
and/or medication, it can
have devastating effects your
health – it can lead to stroke,
cardiovascular disease, congestive
heart failure, eye problems,
kidney failure and other
chronic health conditions.
How do you determine
your risk for developing high
blood pressure? Factors such
as family history, age, gender,
race, and chronic kidney dis-
ease are common hereditary
and physical states that can
increase risk. Behaviors that
can decrease risk include: a
healthy diet, regular exercise,
keeping your weight under
control, refraining from
heavy alcohol use, keeping
cholesterol at a normal level,
effectively treating diabetes if
you have it, not smoking, and
managing life stress. Click
HERE for a link to the AHA
blood pressure guidelines.
If there are no symptoms
of high blood pressure, how
do you know if you have it?
The best way is to see your
healthcare provider annually
or more often (as recommended).
When your blood
pressure is checked at these
visits, always ask what the
reading was so that you can
keep track of your blood pressure
numbers and make lifestyle
changes recommended
by your healthcare team.
If you have high blood
pressure now, your health
care provider may have prescribed
on Monday, December 10 at Keane Square Park. FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION
AND RATES CALL (718) 260-4593
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, D 24 ECEMBER 21-27, 2018 BTR
medication and lifestyle
modifi cations. Make
sure that you follow all instructions
for healthier living
and take medications as prescribed.
You should not stop
taking any medication before
checking with your health
care provider.
R.A.I.N. offers Healthy
Heart classes at all of its 10
Senior Centers in the Bronx
throughout the year on the
topic of Healthy Heart/high
blood pressure/healthy lifestyles.
For more information,
contact Mr. Jeffrey Lucas or
Ms. Rosalinda Bracero at 347-
202-8805.
Brought to you by Montefi
ore Medical Group,
R.A.I.N., and the Hartford Institute
for Geriatric Nursing @
NYU, based on material from
the American Heart Association,
the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, and
the National Institute on Aging.
The Pelham Bay Merchants Association made everyone’s spirits
merry and bright at its time honored Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
(Above) Councilman Mark Gjonaj and Irene Guanill, PBMA president,
shared holiday cheer with the neighborhood.
Photo by Fernando Justiniano