Take Control A Newsletter to Promote Healthy Living for High Blood Pressure Control DON’T LET HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE CONTROL YOU—TAKE CONTROL Fall 2015 Take Control project seeks volunteers in Desha County I f you or someone you know is worried about high blood pressure, a project in Desha County may be helpful. The project, created by the Arkansas Prevention Research Center at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, is testing a method to help people control their blood pressure. If it works, it could be used other places in Arkansas and in the US. People who live in Desha County with high blood pressure are invited to take part in the study. It is free to join and does not take much time. To take part, a person must be between the ages of 18 and 59 and have high blood pressure, as tested at a free screening offered by the project. High blood pressure is a common problem. Because there may not be any signs, a person can have high blood pressure and not know it. It is easily controlled with the right care, but uncontrolled high blood pressure raises your risk for stroke and heart attack. Linda Austin, who lives in Desha County and is a community health worker with the Arkansas Department of Health, encourages people to join the study. “Uncontrolled high blood pressure has caused heart disease, stroke and death in our communities,” Austin said. “I totally support this project by UAMS, which will try to raise awareness about high blood pressure and lower its risks and health care costs. It is a wonderful study for people in Desha County to be part of. I encourage those who suspect their blood pressure is high and uncontrolled to see if they are able to take part in the study.” The Arkansas Prevention Research Center is doing this project with help from local groups, leaders, residents and health workers. Partnering groups are Phoenix Youth and Family Services, Tri-County Rural Health Network, Greater Delta Alliance for Health, Mid-Delta Community Consortium, the Arkansas Department of Health, the Desha Hometown Health Improvement Project, Delta Memorial Hospital, McGehee Hospital, Daughters of Charity, McGehee’s and Dumas’s chambers of commerce and their mayors. For more information about the project or how to join, call 870-273-8937. HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE Do you know your numbers? H igh blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a serious health issue. The blood pressure is the force of blood that is pushed against the blood vessels as the heart pumps blood. High blood pressure occurs when the blood pressure rises and stays high. If not treated, high blood pressure can hurt the body and over time can cause heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, harm to the eyes, and other health problems. A person with high blood pressure doesn’t always have symptoms, which is why it is often called, “the silent killer.” High blood pressure can take about five years off a person’s life. Taking control of your blood pressure can help you live longer. High blood pressure doesn’t have to control your life, when you TAKE CONTROL. Get your blood pressure checked often to find out if it is normal, high or in between. Your blood pressure has two numbers. The meaning of each is in the chart below. Free Blood Pressure Screenings For your health, it is important to know if your blood pressure is too high. The Take Control study is offering free blood pressure screenings. There is no obligation of any kind to get a screening. For locations and dates of free screenings, or for information about the Take Control study, call Irene Mitchell at 870-273-8937 or LaToyic Mack-Barnes at 870-253-9497.