High Blood Pressure: The Silent Killer

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High blood pressure also known as hypertension, is a leading cause and controllable risk factor for stroke and heart disease. The good news – hypertension is controllable, and with proper management, you can lower your risk.

What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is when your blood pressure, the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your blood vessels, is consistently too high. The higher your blood pressure levels, the more risk you have for other health problems, such as heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

What is the cause of high blood pressure?

High blood pressure is caused by a variety of circumstances, and usually develops over time. High blood pressure can happen because of unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as not getting enough regular physical activity. Age, family history, genetics, and sex are all risk factors that cannot be changed.

What are the signs and symptoms of high blood pressure?

Most often, high blood pressure has no symptoms and many people are unaware they have it. In fact, hypertension is often referred to as the silent killer because it can damage your body and lead to other serious conditions without warning. The only method to determine whether you have high blood pressure is to measure it.

Blood pressure is usually measured at the beginning of every medical appointment as part of your vital statistics – just like height, weight, body temperature, and blood oxygen level. The medical assistant will begin by placing a cuff around your upper arm. Air is pushed into the cuff either by a machine or manual pump until it’s very tight on your arm, then the air is slowly released while the machine or a medical assistant listens with a stethoscope.  

Blood pressure readings are recorded as two numbers with a slash in between (ie. 120/80) and expressed as the top number over the bottom number (ie. 120 over 80).

What do blood pressure numbers mean?

Blood pressure is measured using two numbers:

The first number, called systolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. Typically, more attention is given to systolic blood pressure (the first number) as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease for people over 50.

The second number, called diastolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats.

According to the CDC, a normal blood pressure level is less than 120/80 mmHg. Knowing your blood pressure numbers is the first step to maintaining the health of your heart.

Source: American Heart Association

What if I am diagnosed with high blood pressure?

Depending on how high your blood pressure is and whether it’s the upper number, lower number, or both, your healthcare provider will work with you to determine a plan for getting your blood pressure to a healthy range. Initially, this might mean more frequent visits with your provider to monitor the effects medication and/or lifestyle changes have on your blood pressure.

NOAH recommends patients who have high blood pressure or are being treated for high blood pressure be evaluated by their primary care provider at least once every six months

What can I do to prevent or manage high blood pressure?

Making lifestyle modifications can prevent high blood pressure in many people and/or help those who are borderline for hypertension get their levels to a healthy range.

  • Get at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week (about 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week)
  • Don’t smoke
  • Eat a healthy diet, including limiting sodium (salt) and alcohol
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Manage stress

Schedule an appointment with your NOAH provider right away if you think you have high blood pressure or if you’ve been told you have high blood pressure but do not have it under control.

When in Doubt, Sit Them Out

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A Guide to Concussions in Kids and Teens

Concussions are very common injuries, especially in young athletes. In fact, the CDC reports 7 out of 10 visits to the emergency department for sports and recreation-related brain injuries are among children ages 17 and under. It’s important for parents, coaches, and players to know the signs of a concussion and how to respond.

What Is a Concussion?

A concussion is a brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head; or a hit to the body that makes the head move quickly. This sudden movement can hurt the brain. Usually, concussions aren’t life-threatening but repeated injuries or lack of healing can lead to severe complications and increase the risk of developing serious health conditions.

Signs of a Concussion

Even a light hit to the head can be serious so it’s important to remove the athlete from play immediately after any type of blunt contact. Since symptoms can take a few days to appear, experts advise athletes sit out for at least 72 hours. Symptoms of a concussion can include:

Physical

  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Blurry vision
  • Balance problems
  • Sensitivity to light or noise

Thinking

  • Trouble concentrating or remembering
  • Feeling slow or confused

Emotional

  • Irritability
  • Sadness
  • Anxiety or nervousness

Sleep

  • Sleeping more or less than usual
  • Trouble falling asleep
  • Daytime drowsiness

If there are no symptoms within the first 72 hours of the incident, it’s generally safe to resume normal activity. If you’re unsure, schedule an appointment with your NOAH provider.

How to Treat a Concussion

If you suspect a concussion, especially when severe symptoms are present, seek emergency care immediately. A doctor will do a physical exam, ask questions, and check symptoms. Imaging is usually not needed, but your provider may recommend a CT scan or MRI to rule out serious complications like bleeding in or around the brain. The doctor will give a recovery plan and let you know when your child can return to activity.

Step 1: Brain Rest

The first part of the plan is to rest the brain from activities that require concentration and focus. This includes limiting schoolwork and testing, restricting the use of electronics including video games, TV, cell phone use, and computers. Brain cells need to time repair themselves. Time helps the healing process, and the effects of the concussion should lessen as symptoms decrease and become more tolerable.

Step 2: Physical Rest

The second part of the plan is physical rest. Once an athlete can tolerate school and is without symptoms at rest, they can slowly return to physical activity. Initially start with some light activity, progressing to sport-specific exercises without head impact or contact, non-contact training drills with some light resistance training, and finally after medical clearance full contact practice. Each step should take at least 24 hours and if at any time symptoms worsen or return, they must return to the previous step.

Injury Prevention

To minimize the risk of concussions or other sports-related injuries, athletes should always use recommended helmets and safety gear. Check with your school or sports organization to verify equipment fits properly, is appropriate for the sport, and certified in good condition. For more information about concussions, talk with your NOAH provider or visit the CDC’s Heads Up resources page on their website. By recognizing the signs, responding quickly, and prioritizing recovery, we can help protect young athletes—because when it comes to concussions, playing it safe is always the smartest move.

Breast Cancer Screenings: What You Need to Know

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At NOAH, your health is our top priority, and navigating breast cancer screenings can feel overwhelming. If you’re uncertain about when to start, how often to screen, or the process of scheduling a mammogram, our team is here to help.

Who Should Get Screened?

Breast cancer screening is recommended for all women who do not have symptoms and have never had breast cancer. Screening is most beneficial for women at average risk of developing breast cancer.

What Does Breast Cancer Screening Look Like?

Breast cancer screening involves mammography, a low-dose X-ray that helps detect early signs of breast cancer, even before symptoms appear. During a mammogram, your breasts are compressed between two firm surfaces to spread out the breast tissue, allowing for a clearer image. The test is generally painless and only takes a few moments, with some mild discomfort from the pressure or squeezing sensation.

After images are made of both breasts, you may be asked to wait while your care team checks the quality of the images. The entire process usually takes less than 30 minutes.

Mammograms are one of the most effective tools for early detection. While a positive result doesn’t confirm cancer, further testing will help determine next steps.

Where Can You Get Screened?

Due to the specialized equipment required, mammograms are usually taken at a medical imaging facility and often require a referral from your primary care provider. At NOAH, our providers are dedicated to making sure you get the care you need stress-free:

  1. Schedule a well-woman exam with your NOAH health provider.
  2. During your visit, request an order or referral for a mammogram. Depending on your insurance, your provider will refer you to either Southwest Medical Imaging (SMIL) or SimonMed Imaging.
  3. Once you have the referral, schedule your mammogram appointment.
  4. Have questions about getting a mammogram or need help finding a location? Call us at 480-882-4545 and select option 5.

When Should You Get Screened?

Women at average risk for breast cancer should get screened every year starting at age 40. However, every situation is unique and recommendations may vary based on health history and risk. It’s not uncommon for women to get routine mammograms in their 30s. Ultimately the decision on when and how often to screen should be a joint decision between you and your provider.

Why Is Screening Important?

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in the U.S. Early detection through screening significantly increases the chances of effective treatment and survival. Simply put, early detection can save your life.

For any questions or concerns, reach out to schedule an appointment with one of our providers today.