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Health is wealth: Lincoln University Extension holds heart health event
SIKESTON — Lincoln University Cooperative Extension in Sikeston extended its heart health education into May, which is High Blood Pressure Education Month, by offering free weekly blood pressure checks and a community education event Thursday.
High blood pressure—also known as hypertension—is a major risk factor for heart disease, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. It develops when blood flows through arteries at higher-than-normal pressures, and it affects men and women of all ages and can cause serious health problems.
“We have so many things we’re dealing with today,” said Shirley Love, area educator for Lincoln University Cooperative Extension in Sikeston. “Sometimes you forget (to take care of) yourself. We’re still dealing with COVID. We’re dealing with inflation. We’re just dealing with a lot of stuff.
She continued: “We want to take the time to recognize that health is wealth. If you don’t have good health, you can’t even worry about those other things because you won’t be around to worry about them.”
As a result, Love said she decided to organize an event, which was Thursday, to educate community members about heart health and high blood pressure because the two are related.
In addition to providing free blood pressure and cholesterol checks, the event included presentations by wellness coach Ebony Jackson of Sikeston who demonstrated common yoga and Pilates poses and provided exercise tips; Kenya Daugherty of Sikeston with the local 40-plus Double Dutch group who explained how the group which meets Thursdays and Sundays at the YMCA of Southeast Missouri works and benefits overall health; and Dr. Maude Harris of Sikeston who provided nutrition and consumer health information. Informational handouts were also provided to attendees.
Love noted high blood pressure can occur at any age and during pregnancy for women.
“I want everyone to know how important it is to keep their blood pressure at a regular rate and monitor their numbers because the numbers will tell you what you need to know about your blood pressure because that is the No. 1 killer of women (and men) nowadays,” Love said. “We have a lot of women and seniors (who come through the center), and people do have blood pressure problems. This is information is something we can always use.”
Nearly half of all adults in the United States have high blood pressure, according to the American Heart Association. Only about one in four adults (24%) with hypertension have their condition under control.
Betty Williams of Sikeston was among those to get her blood pressure and cholesterol checked at the event Thursday. She said high blood pressure runs in her family, and she’s taken steps to control hers.
“I usually take my blood pressure every day,” Williams said. “Plus, I Plus, I exercise and watch what I eat.”
According to NHLBI, women should have their blood pressure checked at least once a year and talk to a health care provider about what their numbers mean for them.
“Check your cholesterol and know what your numbers are,” Love said. “Monitor your heart. Exercise — and get rid of the salt.”
The following tips provided by NHLBI can also improve heart health and blood pressures:
— Move More: Aim for 150 minutes (2-½ hours) a week of physical activity. Try 30 minutes of activity five days a week. Keep moving during pregnancy—aim for 30 to 60 minutes two to seven times a week to keep your blood pressure healthy.
— Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet: Consider following the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan. Use herbs for flavor instead of salt and add one fruit or vegetable to every meal. Having too much salt (sodium), too little potassium, or too much alcohol is bad for your blood pressure.
— Aim for a Healthy Weight: Losing just 3 to 5 percent of your weight can improve blood pressure if you’re overweight. Ask a friend or family member for help or encourage them to join a weight loss program with you. Social support can help keep you motivated.
— Manage Stress: Stress can increase your blood pressure and make your body store more fat. Reduce stress with meditation, relaxing activities, or support from a counselor or online group.
— Quit Smoking: Smoking damages your heart and blood vessels. Call 1–800–QUIT–NOW or visit smokefree.gov to get additional support.