Visiting Nurse & Community Care (VNCC) located in Arlington, MA offers free “Blood Pressure Clinics” to all seniors in the surrounding community. Blood pressure clinics are being offered at the following places: Medford Council on Aging, St. Anne’s Church in Somerville, Stoneham Senior Center, West Medford Community Center and Lynnfield Senior Center. Please call VNCC at 781-643-9060 or 781-396-2633 for more information.
Your blood pressure changes throughout the day. It is usually lowest when you are sleeping and it rises when you are awake. It can also rise when you are excited, nervous, or active.
What is a normal reading? A blood pressure reading consists of 2 figures: The top one is your systolic pressure (pressure in the vessels during a heartbeat) and the bottom is your diastolic pressure (pressure as the heart rests between beats). For the elderly, as with the rest of the population, a blood pressure reading below 120/80 mmHg is considered normal. In general, lower is better. However, very low blood pressure can sometimes be a cause for concern and should be checked out by a doctor.
What causes high blood pressure? There are several factors that can lead to high blood pressure. Some factors we can control while others like family history leave us predisposed to high blood pressure and heart disease. Following a heart healthy diet that is low in sodium, fat and cholesterol is recommended. Exercise and a healthy weight also play an important role in a healthy heart. 30 minutes of exercise at least three times a week and keeping low stress levels are also recommended. No smoking and minimal alcohol consumption are highly advised.
Remember, the most important step you can take in controlling your blood pressure is to have it checked often! So stop by the clinic and have Mary Napoli, a registered nurse with the Greater Medford VNA & Additional Care, help monitor and track your blood pressure for free!
The Greater Medford Visiting Nurse Association (GMVNA) is 501 (c) (3), non-profit organization that has been providing home health care and community health programs for more than a century. For generations, we have cared for the community through elder outreach, public health initiatives and educational support programs. Our reputation for providing community members with the care and resources they deserve has been reflected by our patients who ask for us by name when choosing their home care provider. You can trust Greater Medford Visiting Nurse Association for all of your home health needs, as we make it our mission to put the patient first.
Greater Medford VNA and Additional Care also offers; Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Medical Social Worker, Companion/Transportation, Home Health Aide and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) services.