Did you know high blood pressure is also known as the "silent killer?" That's because
you can have it without any symptoms or ever knowing it. Check out a blood pressure cuff kit at any library in Wyoming to find out. See how Healthier Wyoming can support you!
Did you know high blood pressure is also known as the "silent killer?" That's because
you can have it without any symptoms or ever knowing it. You may not be as tough as
the famous bull fighter, but are "Tough Enough to Know Your Numbers?" Keep scrolling
to learn more.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S.[1]
One person dies every 36 second in the U.S. from Cardiovascular disease[2].
Coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease; about 18.2 million
adults (age 20 and older) have coronary heart disease[2].
One person has a heart attack every 40 seconds in the United States[2].
Heart Disease Risk Factors
Below are risk factors of heart disease. Other risk factors include family history
and age [4]:
High blood pressure
High blood cholesterol
Diabetes
Obesity
Physical inactivity
Tobacco use
Unhealthy diet
Excessive alcohol use
Symptoms of Heart Disease
Because heart disease refers to a number of conditions the symptoms vary. For many
the first sign of heart disease is chest discomfort or heart attack.
Call 911 if you have symptoms of heart attack or stroke.
Symptoms of Heart Attack
Chest discomfort
Discomfort in other areas of the upper body
Shortness of breath
Other signs: cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness
Symptoms of Stroke
Spot a stroke FAST
F=Face Drooping
A=Arm Weakness
S=Speech Difficulty
T=Time to call 911
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is defined as the pressure of blood pushing against the artery
walls. Blood pressure is measured using two numbers: systolic blood pressure and diastolic
blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure measures the pressure in arteries when the
heart beats, and diastolic measures the pressure in arteries between heart beats.
What is high blood pressure?
High blood pressure is also known as hypertension. While your blood pressure fluctuates
throughout the day due to your activities, high blood pressure occurs when measurements
are consistently above normal (normal is defined by the CDC as less than 120/80 mmHg).
High blood pressure puts you at higher risk for other health problems including heart
disease, heart attack and stroke. It also can hurt your heart, brain, kidneys, and
eyes.
Prevent and Manage High Blood Pressure
Lifestyle changes are key to preventing and managing high blood pressure.Talk to your
provider about your physical activity (you should be getting at least 150 minutes
of physical activity each week), a healthy diet, keeping a healthy weight, stress
management and not smoking. Simple lifestyle changes can help you thrive!
Talk to your health care provider today about your blood pressure
Use the below worksheets and materials to talk to your provider about your blood pressure.
Remember to ask your provider if self-monitored blood pressue is the right fit for
you! Many providers have blood pressure equipment that patients can use to monitor
their blood pressure at home.
Use this worksheet for helpful tips about how to talk to your provider Use this Blood Pressue log to track your BP! Take this form with you when you first talk to your provider about your BP To learn more about you Blood Pressure click here Learn more about how to monitor your blood pressure at home click here
Cholesterol
What is cholesterol?
Blood cholesterol is a fat-like, waxy substance naturally made by your liver. You
produced all the blood cholesterol your body needs, which is why it is recommended
that you eat as little dietary cholesterol as possible. Blood cholesterol is essential
for good health; your body needs it to make hormones and digest fatty foods [7]. Dietary cholesterol is found in animal foods like meat, seafood, poultry, eggs and
dairy products. Evidence shows that diets that include less dietary cholesterol are
associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Click here to learn more about cholesterol!
Behaviors that can negatively affect your cholesterol levels include:
Unhealthy diet
Lack of physical activity
Smoking
Being overweight or obese [8]
Heredity and cholesterol
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited defect in how the body recycles
cholesterol. This causes blood cholesterol levels to be very high [9]. If you have
a family history of FH or problems related to high cholesterol get your cholesterol
levels checked today.
Lifestyle Changes
If you have high blood cholesterol, making lifestyle changes is a great first step
towards lowering your risk of heart disease. Even small changes to your lifestyle
now can help prevent medical issues later in life [8]. If lifestyle changes do not
reduce your risk enough, your doctor might prescribe medications to help [8].
High cholesterol in Wyoming
In 2019, 28.1% of adult Wyomingites reported having their cholesterol checked, and
were told by a health professional that their cholesterol levels were high [10].
The Wyoming Center on Aging has teaming up with Senator Barrasso to raise awareness
about hypertension in Wyoming. Governor Gordon is also joining the effort by proclaiming
May 2025 High Blood Pressure Education Month.
Healthy Heart Ambassador Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring Program
Program Structure
The Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring program is a 4-month program that includes ten
minute consultations with a program facilitator during drop in office hours, weekly
check-ins from the program facilitator by phone, email or text, and monthly nutrition
education seminars. Program participants are asked to attend two personalized consultations
per month (office hours) as well as the monthly nutrition education seminars.
How you can benefit from this program
Joining the Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring program is an investment in your health
and a commitment to reducing your risk for heart attack or stroke. One of the benefits
of the program is the support you will receive to develop the habit of self-monitoring
to lower or better manage your blood pressure. The value is in investing in your
own health to reduce your risk for heart disease. The fee for the program also ensures
the program is sustainable and can benefit others who have high blood pressure.
Participant Eligibility Requirements
Be at least 18 years old or older. Been diagnosed with high blood pressure and/or
are on antihypertensive medication. Not experienced a recent (within the last 12
months) cardiac event. Not have atrial fibrillation or other arrhythmias. Not have
or are not at risk for lymphedema
Wyoming Library Blood Pressure Cuff Checkout Program
Self-measured blood pressure monitoring (SMBP) kits are now available for checkout
through the Wyoming County Library System. The kits are available in both English
and Spanish and include the following: a clinically validated, automated, home blood
pressure cuff, blood pressure logbooks, educational materials from the American Heart
Association including “How to Measure Your Blood Pressure at Home” infographics, information
on what blood pressure is, and ideas for healthy lifestyle changes.
The kits also include a resource directory to local community-based organizations
and referral resources to the Healthy U chronic disease self-management program. SMBP
Library Kits are available in every county. This resource which has been made available
by collaboration between the University of Wyoming Center on Aging, the Wyoming Department
of Health- Chronic Disease Prevention Program and each county public library system. This resource which has been made available by collaboration between the University of Wyoming Center
on Aging, the Wyoming Department of Health- Chronic Disease Prevention Program and
each county public library system. Nationally nearly half of adults in the United
States (47%, or 116 million) have hypertension, or are taking medication for hypertension,
and only about 1 in 4 adults (24%) with hypertension have their condition under control.
Nearly one-third (30.7%) of Wyoming adults have been told by a health professional
that they have high blood pressure. However, to reach this population, nothing is more critical than to form partnerships with healthcare professionals and
healthcare organizations.