Know Your Numbers
Explaining the manual BP monitor
Cheyenne VA Medical Center encourages all veterans to “know your numbers”. Veterans, do you know your numbers? No, not your waist size, shirt size or pants size, but the numbers that will help you look great in that ideal outfit. We’re talking
Blood glucose
Blood pressure (BP)
Cholesterol
Weight or body mass index (BMI)
Bone Mineral Density (age dependent)
Yeah, it’s those numbers. This is not an “eat right and exercise story.” It is a personal account of a fellow Veteran who had a scare because her numbers were “off the chain” but not in a good way.
“Contrary to popular belief, heart disease is the No.1 killer of women, not cancer,” said Brandy Marshall, registered nurse and women’s program manager at Cheyenne VA Medical Center.
In addition to being the month for love, February was also the month for heart health. The American Heart Association’s (AHA) Go Red for Women Campaign was highlighted for a reason. Each year the AHA brings awareness and knowledge to women and caregivers about heart disease and stroke. I participated in the Go Red campaign at work by casually strolling down to the women’s clinic to get my blood pressure checked.
Thinking I was doing them a favor by showing up, I was in for a shock! While hooked up to the monitor, I saw the look on the nurse’s face when she said, “The numbers are high. Let’s do a manual check.” Still high. 134/100. I tried to justify the numbers by recounting that I had just walked the length of the building and had an animated conversation with a co-worker before entering the clinic.
They were not buying any of that and sprang into action with the following:
-gave me a blood pressure monitor to take home;
-wrote down my numbers so that I could see the current baseline and track;
-gave me information on what the numbers should be and how to get there;
-scheduled appointments to have blood pressure and cholesterol rechecked; (to start medication or routines to get the numbers down, if necessary).
Considering optimal blood pressure should be less than 120/80 there was a serious need for concern. I could have a stroke any minute with numbers that high. Talk about a walking time bomb.
At risk for stroke or be in the early stages of heart disease, at my age? Sure, I look healthy and feel pretty good on the outside, but the inside of me is telling a different story. My heart is working much harder than it should be.
A heart attack or stroke may be deadly, but they are not sneaky. Health fairs and free blood pressure testing are offered for participants, not the sponsors. They are already aware of the importance of “Know Your Numbers.”
According to research at the AHA: Why is heart health important?
Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death of women. It kills more women than all forms of cancer combined. In the United States, a veteran dies of a heart attack, stroke or another form of heart disease every minute. Approximately one of every three veterans experience some form of cardiovascular disease, and most of those cases are preventable by leading a heart-healthy lifestyle.
How can you achieve a heart-healthy lifestyle?
The best way to prevent heart disease is to live a healthy lifestyle. You can reduce the chances of heart disease through a healthy diet and exercise and quitting smoking if you’re a current smoker. Managing stress and limiting alcohol consumption can also help keep you healthy. In partnership with your health care provider, you should discuss your risk for heart disease, have your cholesterol and triglycerides checked, and know your blood pressure levels. These simple steps can help prevent heart disease.
How do you treat heart disease, and what are risk factors for getting heart disease?
Only your health care provider can determine the best method of treatment for heart disease. The course of treatment will depend on the type and severity of heart disease. Potential treatments may include lifestyle changes, medicines, cardiac rehabilitation or surgical procedures. Smoking, high LDL cholesterol and high blood pressure are the key risk factors for heart disease. Forty-nine percent of
Americans have at least one of these risk factors. Other medical conditions put Veterans at a higher risk for heart disease including:
Diabetes
Overweight and obesity
Poor diet
Physical inactivity
Smoking
What does Going Red really mean?
The AHA is committed to empowering women and all veterans to live a heart-healthy lifestyle. The Go Red campaign stands for:
Get Your Numbers: Ask your doctor to check your BP and cholesterol.
Own Your Lifestyle: Stop smoking, lose weight, exercise and eat healthy.
Realize Your Risk: We think it won’t happen to us, but heart disease kills one in three women.
Educate Your Family: Make healthy food choices for you and your family. Teach your kids the importance of staying active.
Don’t Be Silent: Tell every veteran you know that heart disease is the No. 1 killer. Raise your voice
I couldn’t argue with her on that point. Seven days it is. (What happened to a rest day?)
All of this happened to me about thirty days ago. My numbers are already down. For starters, I cut out the junk food and increased my physical activity and water intake. Although I am unsure whether the effects of the pills have kicked in yet, I take a tablet for blood pressure every morning and monitor my BP each day, twice a day.
Oh, yes, almost forgot, I must weigh in at the clinic every Friday. “We’ll be your weight watcher,” Zavari said. I have a follow-up appointment in two weeks.
Now, about YOUR numbers.
