Blood pressure machines installed to assist seniors

Blood pressure monitoring machines that the Area Agency on Aging of West Central Arkansas installed in 14 senior centers within its 10- county service area last fall in hopes of reducing the risk of strokes for seniors have been in use on a regular basis by some seniors.

One in three adults in the United States has high blood pressure and most do not know it, and that statistic is even higher for seniors, according to an agency news release.

Tim Herr, executive director of Area Agency on Aging, said that since the machines were installed “the seniors who frequent those centers have come to rely on these machines for monitoring their blood pressure on a near- daily basis.”

With February recognized as Heart Month, Area Agency on Aging is taking the opportunity to encourage seniors to visit their local senior centers and use the machines regularly to monitor their blood pressure.

The machines are free and could save a life, Herr said.

The Senior Centers where Area Agency on Aging has installed blood pressure machines are Hot Springs, Hot Springs Village, Glenwood, Mount Ida, Gurdon, Arkadelphia, Malvern, Murfreesboro, Danville, Clarksville, Perryville, Morrilton, Dardanelle and Russellville.

The Hot Springs Senior Center is located at 210 Woodbine and the McAuley Senior Community Center is located on Highway 7 north near Hot Springs Village.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure increases a person’s stroke risk by four to six times. Hardening of the arteries and atherosclerosis caused by high blood pressure leads to blocked blood vessels in the brain, which is called an ischemic stroke. It can also cause the blood vessels in the brain to burst resulting in a hemorrhagic stroke.

Blood pressure control measures include the following:

• Tracking blood pressure and discussing the reading with a doctor, pharmacist or other health care provider. A normal reading is lower than 120 systolic, top number, and lower than 80 diastolic, bottom number.

• Take prescribed medicines. Take blood pressure medications daily and follow the directions on the bottle. Use notes, pillboxes, and other reminders to take medications. It’s important to get refills one week before a prescription runs out.

• Limit Alcohol. In addition to raising blood pressure, too much alcohol can add unneeded calories to a diet. Drink alcoholic beverages in moderate amounts — one drink a day for women, two drinks a day for men.

• Take time to relax. Coping with stress by turning to excessive alcohol or smoking can raise the risk for high blood pressure.

Call 321- 2811 or 800- 467- 2171 for more information.