Health Matters: Under Pressure

Submitted by the Needham Public Health Department

One in three Americans have high blood pressure, and it is the most common primary diagnosis in the United States.

Blood pressure is the force of blood against your artery walls as it circulates through your body. Blood pressure normally fluctuates throughout the day, but it can cause health problems if it stays high for too long. Often referred to as the "silent killer,” high blood pressure frequently has no warning signs or symptoms, and many people don't realize they have it. Chronic high blood pressure can cause heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and blindness.

The good news is there are several steps you can take to prevent high blood pressure, including: having your blood pressure checked regularly, eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, limiting alcohol use and not smoking.

To help ensure everyone in Needham has access to get their blood pressure checked on a regular basis, the (NPHD) provides free health and wellness clinics Monday through Thursday from 8:00-9:30 a.m. No appointment is necessary and services include:

• Blood pressure (BP) screening
• Immunizations
• B12 injections (with prescription)
• TB Skin Tests—given on Monday morning during BP clinic time and return on Thursday morning to have test read.
• Answers to medical questions
• Review of medications
• Counseling and referrals
• Financial needs (fuel assistance)

Please note that NPHD has moved back to the newly renovated at 1741 Highland Ave. For easy access, park on Highland Avenue, enter the building through the glass doors (across the street from Walgreens) and take the elevator or stairs to the second floor.

If you are unable to visit the department during the above time, NPHD also provides the following clinics to Needham residents:

• Chambers Community Room (Linden Street)—Fourth Wednesday of each month from 10:30 a.m. to noon
• Seabed’s Way Community Room (Captain Robert Cooks Road)—First Wednesday of each month from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

For questions and/or additional information, Please call 781-455-7500 ext. 511 or visit www.needhamma.gov/health.

Adapted from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)