Fri, Jan 09 2009
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Published September 03, 2008 09:43 am - This month: blood pressure. Next month: diabetes. Cooperative effort promotes senior health By JOSH NEWTON TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS — This month: blood pressure.
Next month: diabetes. Month by month, Northeastern Oklahoma Community Health Centers and Stage department store hope to increase health awareness to senior citizens. The two have partnered together to promote Club 50 Plus, for area residents 50 and older. There are several benefits, including a store discount and free health screenings the first Tuesday of every month. Stage Manager Linda Crawford said it’s part of the company’s goal, which states through shared commitment and knowledge with community partners, “we can create lasting, positive change in communities and people’s lives.” “It’s a community effort,” said Crawford. “It’s a way to help the community so that we, as a company, as a store local, can do our part with our community. This is a very good way to do that.” NeoHealth interim CEO Brenda Etzkorn said the free health screenings each month take to task the heart of the health center’s charter. “This is one of many ways we partner with community businesses and organizations to promote a healthy, safe lifestyle for our citizens,” said Etzkorn. NeoHealth Registered Nurse Susan Gourd – and many other health professionals – call blood pressure the “silent killer.” “You can do little things to help,” said Gourd. “They don’t have to be big, dramatic changes – like leisurely walking three times a week can help lower your blood pressure. You have to start somewhere.” And the nurses will help those who visit their health booth understand important information related to the day’s health topic, according to NeoHealth Licensed Nurse Robin Coiner. “If they have blood pressure issues, we’ll help them with a plan on how to beat that,” said Coiner. Recent estimates show about 33 percent of U.S. adults have high blood pressure. To make matters worse, about a third of those who do have high blood pressure don’t know it, because there are no symptoms. Information provided by Gourd and Coiner indicates uncontrolled, high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure or kidney failure. “The only way to tell if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked,” said Gourd. Smoking has a “large impact” on blood pressure, according to Gourd, because nicotine constricts blood vessels. Tuesday, the nurses offered a stack of stop-smoking information, including phone numbers and a five-day countdown to a quit date. 
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