The Green River District Health Department offers the following tips about high blood pressure since May is High Blood Pressure Awareness Month.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. It is estimated half of Americans have high blood pressure, and many don’t know they have it. Non-modifiable risk factors for developing high blood pressure are age, family history & genetics, gender, and race or ethnicity. Modifiable risk factors are our lifestyle habits, including the foods we eat and our level of regular physical activity.
Do you know your blood pressure? Have yours checked and talk to your healthcare provider about what your numbers mean for you?
Green River District Health Department offers a self-measured blood pressure monitoring program (SMBP), CARE SMBP. Learn how to self-monitor your blood pressure and get tips on making positive lifestyle changes.
For more information go to our website at www.healthdepartment.org.
The Green River District Health Department also shares the following respiratory virus update.
Viruses that cause respiratory diseases, like the ones that cause COVID-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), usually spread in the fall and winter. Anyone can get a respiratory virus infection, but some
people are at higher risk for serious illness. Respiratory virus activity in Kentucky remains low.
Weekly updates from the Kentucky Department for Public Heath will resume during the fall respiratory virus seasons. Monthly updates from GRDHD will follow at that time.
In support of updated guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control last week, Green River District Health Department and KDPH recommend the following actions to protect yourself and others:
- Stay up to date with vaccines. This includes flu, COVID-19, and RSV, if eligible.
- Practice good hygiene by covering coughs and sneezes, washing or sanitizing hands often, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
- Take steps for cleaner air.
- When sick with a respiratory virus, seek testing or treatment if you have risk factors for severe illness.
- Stay home and away from others until at least 24 hours after symptoms are better overall and fever has ended without the use of fever reducing medication.
- Consider wearing a mask if you are high-risk for serious illness.
For more information https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/Pages/RespiratoryDiseases.aspx andhttps://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/data-research/dashboard/activity-levels.html.