Health Ministry Members

• Jo Ann Adams

• Sonia Arbelo, RN                                   

• Jean Bruno, RN                                      

• Charlotte Collins, RN                              

• Mary Cully, RN

• Angela Damone

• Margaret Kearny, RN

• Cassandra Pereira                                    

Blood Pressure Monitoring

What is Blood Pressure?

When your heart beats, it pumps blood into your arteries and creates pressure. This pressure causes the blood to carry Oxygen to your vital organs. Your heart beats 60-80 times per minute, under normal circumstances. Your Blood Pressure rises on the hearts contractions (systolic) and falls when your heart relaxes (diastolic) between beats.

 What is Normal Blood Pressure?

• Normal: less than 120/less than 80

• Pre-hypertension: 120-139/80-89               

• Stage 1 high BP: 140-159/90-99  (See your health provider)

• Stage 2 high BP: 160/100   (See your health provider)

What can you do to bring your pressure down?

• Lose excess weight

• Exercise more

• Eat less salt

• Eat more vegetables

• Eat more fruit

• Quit smoking

What causes High Blood Pressure?

• About 90% of cases there is no known cause, but there are some risk factors that increase your chances of developing High Blood Pressure.

Risk factors for High Blood Pressure you can control:

• Obesity – people with a body mass index of 25 or higher are at a higher risk. 

• High-salt intake, in some people increases their Blood Pressure. Eating less salt, canned foods, salty snacks and reading labels might be of help.

• Alcoholic drinks are high in calories and low in nutrients.

• Lack of exercise- an inactive life style makes it easier to become overweight.

• Stress levels are hard to measure and responses are very variable but if this is a problem for you, exercise can help minimize your reaction.

Risk factors you can’t control:

• Race – African Americans develop High Blood Pressure more often than whites and it is harder to control.

• Heredity – a tendency toward High Blood Pressure seems to run in families.

• Age – in general the older you get the greater the chance of developing High Blood Pressure. In men it is more common after 35. In women it is more common after menopause.

 Can you tell if I have High Blood Pressure?

• No, definitely not, that is why it is called the silent killer.

Can High Blood Pressure cause damage to my body ?

• YES, because your heart must work harder than normal for a long time, it tends to get bigger, and the bigger it gets the harder it is to meet your bodies demands.

• Your arteries harden and become less elastic as you age but High Blood Pressure tends to speed this process.

• High Blood Pressure increases your risk of having a stroke.

• High Blood Pressure can damage your kidneys and eyes.

What can be done about High Blood Pressure?

• Check your Blood Pressure on a regular basis. If your Blood Pressure is found to be elevated, check the risk factors you have control over and make changes, and follow your health providers’ advice. If you are given medication, take it as prescribed.

 

Important Information Regarding the Flu Vaccine

A major manufacturer, Chiron, which usually provides half of the nation’s flu vaccine supply will not be able supply any flu vaccine for this year. This news forced the CDC and the NYC Dept of Health to prioritize the distribution of the flu vaccine to high risk groups, people over 65 and children between the ages of 6 – 23 months. The rest of the population is requested to forego their immunizations this year.

Who are the high-risk groups?

• Persons 65 and over

• Children 6 -23 months

• Residents of nursing homes and other long term care facilities

• Pregnant women

• Regardless of age – persons with chronic pulmonary or cardiovascular disease, including asthma, diabetes mellitus, renal dysfunction, hemoglobin problems, and people who have weakened immune systems.

• Children on long-term aspirin therapy

• Additionally, people who can transmit influenza to high-risk individuals should also receive the vaccine. Example: health care workers, household contacts and care givers of children less than 6 months of age.

How can I get the vaccine if I am at high risk?

The NYC Dept of Health has immunization clinics in every borough. For specific locations call 311 or 1-888-799-8789.

Locations in Queens are as follows:

Facility:           Jamaica Health Center

Address:        90-37 Parsons Blvd

Jamaica, NY 11432

Phone:            212-676-2273                      

Schedule:       Monday AND Friday from 8:30am to 2:30pm

Directions:     E or F train to Parsons Boulevard.

For additional locations check the “Flu Vaccine Locator” at the NYC Department of Health website: http://www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/doh/html/imm/fluhome.html

How can I avoid the flu if I do not get the vaccine?

Influenza occurs most often in the fall and winter months reaching a peak in December through early March. It is spread through contact with droplets from the nose and mouth.

Here are some simple steps that you and your children can do to help stop the spread of  both the cold and the flu:

• When you cough or sneeze, cover your nose or mouth with your arm rather than your hand.

• Use tissues and throw them away after 1 use.

• Wash your hands frequently.

• If you are sick with a cough or fever, stay home.

What are the symptoms of the flu?

• Within 1 to 5 days of exposure to the virus there are headache, fever, chills, cough, sore throat and body aches. Gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting are uncommon. Most people who are basically healthy are sick only a few days.

What is the treatment for the flu?

• Rest and liquids are usually adequate. There are prescription drugs available to lessen the severity of symptoms but you need to discuss this with your physician.