The month of May is designated High Blood Pressure Awareness Month. As someone who was diagnosed with hypertension, getting your blood pressure under control takes dedication and patience. While 1 in 3 adults have high blood pressure, only 1 in 2 of those diagnosed have it under control. Consequently, the repercussions of untreated hypertension range from stroke, heart attack, dementia, and kidney failure. While medication is absolutely necessary for those with hypertension, using alternative practices and better life choices can help and prevent reaching these levels.
Generally speaking, treating hypertension requires daily medication. Specifically, diuretics, beta-blockers, ace inhibitors, ARBs, or calcium channel blockers are the most common. Each of these medications come with its own side effects, but generally include:
Cough
Diarrhea/constipation
Dizziness/lightheadedness
Erection problems
Feeling nervous
Feeling tired, weak, drowsy, or a lack of energy
Headache
Nausea or vomiting
Skin rash
Weight loss or gain
Medication is crucial once blood pressure has reached the point of hypertensive. Take action now and try these healthy life habits and practices.
Diet
Ultimately, a healthy and balanced diet can help prevent and treat hypertension. Dieticians recommend eating plant-based foods, lowering salt intake to less than 5-6 grams per day, and incorporating healthy fats.
More specifically, here are 15 foods that are recommended for lowering blood pressure:
Berries
Bananas
Beets
Dark chocolate
Kiwis
Watermelon
Oats
Leafy green vegetables
Garlic
Fermented foods
Lentils
Natural yogurt
Pomegranates
Cinnamon
Pistachios
Daily Habits
Alongside your diet, your daily habits can also play a large role in your health. In the long run, stress, smoking, and poor exercise can have negative effects on your blood pressure. Caffeine and alcohol consumption has been proven to increase blood pressure, as well.
Here are ways you can manage stress, and in turn, reduce your blood pressure:
Meditation and yoga have been used for years to relieve stress and reduce inflammation. Studies show that, in addition to all these benefits, yoga can also help hypertension. With this in mind, some specific yoga poses that help hypertension are:
It might be hard to imagine what life was like before the coronavirus pandemic put us in our current situation. At the same time, looking for the positives can be the encouraging push we all need to stay strong through such an uncertain time.
Coronavirus Testing
As of May 18th, 271,849 people in Ohio have been tested for Coronavirus. With only around 10% of these tests being positive, we are still well below the U.S. average. We have tested over 100,000 more people since the first of the month and with each passing day, we increase the amount tested.
In any event, testing the public helps scientists understand the virus better and can lead to a faster cure. With this in mind, there are options and multiple centers to receive a test.
Below are a list of local centers providing drive-thru testing:
Moderna Inc. has been experimenting with a vaccine to immunize coronavirus. Although in the early testing phase, the vaccine is providing positive results. In the final analysis, they will need to narrow down the dosage and begin testing that specific amount in July. Per the U.S. government’s project ‘Operation Warp Speed’, the idea is to have a vaccine and 300 million doses by January 2021.
While scientists are still testing out different vaccines, a new clinical trial testing a combination of medication shows promising results. Interferon beta-1b, lopinavir-ritonavir, and ribavirin, combined with standard care, has proven to treat mild to moderate symptoms of the coronavirus.
Professor at the University of Hong Kong, Kwok-Yung Yuen, lead the researchers in this 41 day clinical trial. They found that the control group’s symptoms lasted almost twice as long as those given the combination of medication.
Not Out of the Woods
Wendy Zukerman, host of the podcast Science Vs., interviewed multiple elite scientists and researchers for her episode “Coronavirus: When Will It End?”.
Dr. Swapnil Mishra, part of the Imperial College Covid-19 Response Team, and his colleagues created models based around what is known about the pandemic. These models show the estimated death toll when no action is taken. Prior to receiving said models, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, changed the countries pandemic response.
Now Dr. Mishra and his colleagues are taking a different approach; to predict the finality of this disease. After pushing Dr. Mishra to estimate a deadline of extreme precaution, Wendy finally received the answer:
“This is just what I think, we might have to be under a lot of measures at least until June. At the least, it is not at most, it is at least”
Dr. Swapnil Mishra
Helping Hands
On the positive side, many residents and organizations surrounding our area have been gracious enough to lend a helping hand to those in need. Even with the recent reopening’s, many Ohio residents are still out of work and unable to afford groceries for themselves and their families. The following organizations are hosting food drives this month:
SHENANGO VALLEY MALL. (Hermitage). Tuesday, May 19th, 4-6 pm.
THE OASIS FOOD MINISTRY. (Columbiana). Thursday, May 28th, 3-6 pm.
THE SALVATION ARMY. (Warren). Friday, May 29th,
In addition to the above food drives, many food giveaway and pantry organizations are available around the area. Since some pick up locations differ, always call ahead for more information:
AUSTINTOWN COMMUNITY CHURCH. (Austintown). Every Wednesday and 4th Saturday of every month, 8:30-10:30 am.
BIG REACH CENTER OF HOPE. (Greenford). Every Friday, 9 am-3 pm. (330)-533-3278, ext. 503.
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF YOUNGSTOWN. (Youngstown). Every Wednesday, 2-3 pm and 5-6 pm. (330)-782-2714.
BROOKFIELD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. (Brookfield). Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9 am-12 pm. (330)-448-1001.
COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY HEALTHIER PANTRY. (Lisbon). Every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, 8 am-4 pm. Every Wednesday and Friday from 12-4 pm. (330)-424-4013.
MAHONING COUNTY DISTRICT ST. VINCENT DEPAUL SOCIETY. (Youngstown). Every Monday through Friday, 9 am-1 pm. (330)-333-3601.
RUST CITY CHURCH. (Hermitage). Every Monday, 5 pm.
RUST CITY CHURCH. (Niles). Every Thursday, 5 pm.
SALVATION ARMY OF MAHONING COUNTY. (Youngstown). Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 10 am-12 pm. (330)-270-5999.
SALVATION ARMY, WARREN CORPS. (Warren). Every Monday – Friday, 10-11 am, and every Monday – Thursday, 1-2:45 pm. (330)-392-1573
WARREN FAMILY MISSION FOOD PANTRY. (Warren). Every Tuesday – Friday, 9:30 am-12 pm and 1-3 pm. (330)-394-5437.
YOUNGSTOWN COMMUNITY FOOD CENTER. (Youngstown). Every Tuesday. 9-11 am. (330)-746-8436.
Right now, many people are feeling an increase in stress and uncertainty as COVID-19, also known as Coronavirus, cases increase in the United States. During times of crisis, it’s common to experience both. We know you have a lot of questions and unfortunately, a lot of misinformation is being shared. We want to help with some of your questions and added reliable sources for you to easily access. Those sources include:
Ohio Department of Insurance has answers to the most common questions. They are also sharing tools and resources about COVID-19.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention has the most recent information about COVID-19. Here you will find information about the virus, symptoms, and tips on how to prevent your family from getting it.
Ohio Governor is keeping Ohioans up to date daily on what is happening in Ohio. This site is also sharing tips and resources on how to stay healthy during this pandemic.
Our mission is to protect you and your loved ones. The resources, that you can find on our site will provide the information to help answer your questions. If we missed your question, we will be happy to assist you in answering.
