Rainsville Pharmacy News

National Heart Month

February is National Heart Month, a perfect opportunity to learn about the risks of heart disease and the ways you can improve your overall heart health.

Heart disease is the number one cause of death for men and women in the U.S. Poor heart health can lead to stroke, heart attack, or even heart failure.

Hypertension

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is the single most important risk factor for heart disease. If left uncontrolled, it can injure or kill you. It's sometimes called the "silent killer" because it has no symptoms. About 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure, but because it is symptomless, many are not aware of it.

What is High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure is a widely misunderstood medical condition.The blood running through your arteries flows with too much force and puts pressure on your arteries, stretching them past their healthy limit and causing microscopic tears. Our body then kicks into injury-healing mode to repair these tears with scar tissue. But unfortunately, the scar tissue traps plaque and white blood cells which can form into blockages, blood clots, and hardened, weakened arteries. Blockages and blood clots mean less blood can get to our vital organs, and without blood, the tissue dies. That's why high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, and even heart failure.

Monitoring Your Blood Pressure

According to the American Heart Association, adults should have their blood pressure checked at least once every two years by their doctor, beginning at the age of 20. A single blood pressure reading does not necessarily mean you have hypertension. However, if the reading is higher than normal your doctor might want to take several readings over a period of time, or have you monitor your blood pressure at home before diagnosing you.

A blood pressure consistently less than 120 mmHG systolic (top number) AND less than 80 mmHG diastolic (bottom number) is considered to be ideal. However, exercising, smoking, or having caffeine before you take a reading can make it appear artificially high. At Rainsville Drugs, we're happy to take your blood pressure for you, free of charge.

Excellent resources for further understanding your blood pressure reading are available online at the American Heart Association.

Managing Your Heart Health

Good news! High blood pressure is manageable. 
 Even if your blood pressure is normal and your goal is prevention only, a few lifestyle modifications provide a prescription for healthy living. These changes may reduce your blood pressure without the use of prescription medications:

• Quitting Smoking: Smoking is the number one causes of preventable death in the U.S. Smokers have a higher risk of developing many chronic disorders, including atherosclerosis — the buildup of fatty substances in the arteries — which can lead to coronary heart disease, heart attack (myocardial infarction) and stroke. It also increases the risk of coronary artery disease and decreases your HDL (good cholesterol). All these risks are increased even more if you have a history of heart disease in your family.
• If you smoke, kicking the habit is the single most important thing you can do for your heart health.
  Talk with your doctor, or visit one of the many resources available to help you quit:
  
  

  American Heart Association
  Smokefree.gov
  American Cancer Society
  

• Dietary Changes: Diets high in sodium, saturated fats, and cholesterol have been linked to heart disease. Additionally, being overweight is a major risk factor for both coronary heart disease and heart attack, even if you have no related health conditions.
  
  Decreasing your sodium intake can help lower your blood pressure, thereby reducing your risk for many related heart issues.
  
  
• Additional Tips:
  
  • Manage Stress
  • Get Plenty of Exercise
  • Limit Alcohol