High Blood Pressure ( Hypertension )
High blood pressure is a risk factor in coronary heart disease , stroke , and heart failure , so it is important to lower it .
Have your blood pressure checked regularly and take your medicines as prescribed . You may also want to purchase a blood pressure and pulse monitor .
Optimal blood pressure is less than 120 / 80 . High blood pressure is 140 / 90 or higher . Ask your doctor to tell you your target blood pressure . This may vary if you have diabetes , heart disease , or other health problems .
To help lower your blood pressure :
� Take your medication as prescribed by your doctor .
� Stop smoking , because smoking increases your blood pressure by constricting your blood vessels .
� Too much weight stresses the heart . Sometimes losing weight may be all that is needed to bring your blood pressure back to normal .
� Your doctor may advise you to follow a low-salt ( sodium ) diet , since excess salt causes the body to retain fluids . Extra fluid makes the heart work harder . Read pages 37-39 for ways to decrease sodium in your diet .
Pay attention to how you feel each day . If you begin to feel dizzy or get headaches , see your doctor right away .
Diabetes
When you have diabetes , sugar cannot enter the body cells to provide energy , so excess sugar builds up in the blood . Many problems result when the sugar in the blood is too high . Levels of cholesterol and fats in the blood can be higher , which contributes to atherosclerosis ( hardening of the arteries ).
Diabetes often appears in middle-aged men and women , especially those who are overweight . If this disease is not treated , it sharply increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke . People with diabetes run a five times greater risk of heart disease than those who do not have diabetes . Women with diabetes are at the same risk as men for a heart attack .
Knowing that you have diabetes and keeping your blood sugar under control will lessen your risk for heart disease . Check your blood sugar regularly , and talk with your doctor if your sugars are out of range for you .
As you begin to exercise more , be aware of signs of low blood sugar . You may want to check your blood sugar during or after exercise or if you are noticing low blood sugar signs such as feeling dizzy , weak , shaky , anxious , or confused .
Your doctor will be checking your Hgb A1C , which shows what your blood sugar levels have been the last 2 to 3 months . The target for most people is less than 7.0 .
Mount Carmel offers diabetes education classes at Mount Carmel East , West , and St . Ann ’ s . For more information , call 614-546-4582 .
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