High Blood Pressure Awareness Month

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High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is referred to as the silent killer because it can increase the risk for stroke, heart attack, or other serious diseases without alerting you to a problem. It was the primary contributing cause of death for over 500,000 people in the United States in 2019. It is important to bring awareness so people know to regularly check their blood pressure and take the proper steps to keep it at a healthy number.

Blood pressure is the pressure of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries, which carry blood from the heart to other parts of the body. Blood pressure normally rises and falls throughout the day, but over time constant high blood pressure can cause damage to the heart and cause other health problems.

Most people with high blood pressure show no symptoms, even if it reaches dangerously high levels. Some people might have headaches, shortness of breath and nosebleeds, but these are not specific and usually don’t occur until blood pressure has reached a severe or life-threatening stage. There are many risk factors for high blood pressure such as:

  • Age
  • Family history
  • Obesity
  • Tobacco and/or alcohol use
  • Excessive sodium
  • Stress
  • Pregnancy

According to the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association, normal healthy blood pressure is about 120/80. Stage 1 of hypertension is anywhere from 130-139/80-89 and stage 2 hypertension is anything above 140/90. Untreated hypertension increases the risk for heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, vision loss and other heart diseases so it is important to regularly check your blood pressure and know when to see your doctor to take the right steps to lower it. For some patients, medication is required to lower blood pressure and for others, simple lifestyle changes can lower it:

  • Weight loss/weight management
  • Eating healthy
  • Exercise
  • Stress management
  • Avoid alcohol and tobacco use

An important thing to remember is that hypertension often shows no symptoms and is why we need to have regular doctor check-ups or use an at home machine to help monitor your blood pressure.

As a Local 663 member, you have access to TEAM, an employee assistance provider, at no cost to you. (800) 634-7710 | www.startwithteam.com

To ensure you receive all pertinent information, please update your address with the Fund Office, Wilson-McShane Corporation, when you move. To update your information, you may access the Change of Personal Information Form from the website www.663benefits.com. You may also call (952) 851-5797 or toll-free (844) 468-5917 to request a Change of Information Form.

The Annual Membership Meeting of the Members of the Minneapolis Meat Cutters & Food Handlers Properties, Incorporated will be held at 9:00 A.M. on May 1, 2023 at 6160 Summit Drive North, Suite 600, Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. The purpose of the meeting shall be to elect the directors of the corporation for the next year and to conduct such other general business as may be presented at the meeting.

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