MCM Blood Pressure Checks

Date:  1st Sunday of each month

Time:  9:45 to 10:00ish

Place:  Narthex Extension

Cost:  No charge

Staffed by:  FPC Nurses

DO YOU KNOW YOUR NUMBERS? No, not your cell phone or Blackberry,your blood pressure numbers.these important numbers could save your life.

Membership Connections Committee is sponsoring monthly blood pressure screenings on the first Sunday of each month by the narthex extension after the first service where one of FPC's health care professionals will check your blood pressure and give you important information about the most recent guidelines high blood pressure.

If you are a health care professional and would like to be a part of this important ministry, please contact Lenny Pacholski through the Member Connections Ministry at memberconnectionsministry@fairfaxpresby.com .

Know Your Numbers…

By Lenny Pacholski

   We're not referring to your cell phone number or your Blackberry number, but your blood pressure numbers. One in four American adults has hypertension (HTN) or high blood pressure. Most likely, that means you or someone sharing your pew has HTN and is at greater risk for a stroke, heart attack or kidney damage.

   What's your HTN IQ? Take this short true or false quiz (answers found below): 

1. 142/76 is a good blood pressure reading.
2. You have HTN if you experience symptoms of blurry vision, headache or chest pain.
3. I'm overweight; I certainly have HTN.
4. Cutting back on salt is all you need to do to lower blood pressure.
5. The only way to know if you have HTN is to have your blood pressure checked regularly.  

   Hypertension is a serious condition that, left untreated, can lead to heart attack, stroke and kidney damage. The vast majority (95%) of people with HTN have essential hypertension - high blood pressure that does not have an apparent cause. HTN does not cause symptoms unless it is very high, thus giving it the nickname The Silent Killer. Nearly one third of people who have HTN don't know it.

Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). The top number is called the systolic measurement and the bottom number is the diastolic measurement. The systolic (top) number represents the pressure the heart must pump against to get blood out of the heart to the rest of the body. The diastolic (bottom) number represents the pressure in the heart at rest or in between beats. This very brief split second of time is when the coronary arteries are filled with oxygen rich blood. 

Categories for Blood Pressure Levels in Adults (in millimeters of mercury)*

Normal: Systolic (top number): less than 120; Diastolic (bottom number): less than 80.

Prehypertension: Systolic: 120 to 139; Diastolic: 80 to 89.

High Blood Pressure (Stage 1): Systolic: 140 to 159; Diastolic: 90 to 99.

High Blood Pressure (Stage 2): Systolic: 160 or higher; Diastolic: 100 or higher. 

   Do you know your numbers? Are you at risk? Stop by the narthex extension the first Sunday of each month (after the first service and before church school). One of FPC's health care professionals will be available to check your blood pressure and provide you with valuable information that could save your life.

Answers to quiz:

1. False. A blood pressure of 142/76 is considered Stage 1 hypertension. Normal blood pressure is a reading of less than 120/80.

2. False. HTN does not cause symptoms unless it is severely high.

3. False. Being overweight may contribute to HTN, but other lifestyle factors, such as smoking, unhealthy eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle also contribute. And genetics plays a very important role in HTN.

4. False. While reducing sodium can help, other lifestyle modifications are usually necessary: losing weight if you're overweight, quitting all tobacco products, eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise.

5. True. Be sure to get your blood pressure checked regularly, especially if you have risk factors.