VOL. I, NO. 42
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 2018
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MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
ILLNESSES FROM MOSQUITO, TICK, AND FLEA BITES INCREASING IN THE US PG.7
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By MARC A. THIESSEN WASHINGTON -- The prospect of winning the Nobel Peace Prize is understandably tantalizing for President Trump. After all the contempt he has faced from the political establishment, watching liberal heads explode at the suggestion by South Korean President Moon Jae-in that he deserves the award must be gratifying. It would be even more gratifying to watch the collective meltdown as he delivered his Nobel acceptance speech. Moon understands this, which precisely is why he dangled the prospect of a Nobel Prize in front of Trump. He is flattering Trump in the hopes that this will make him more flexible in his negotiations with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. Trump should refuse to take the bait. To his credit, Trump seems to not be taking the Nobel talk too seriously. At a rally in Michigan, Trump smiled while the crowd chanted “No-bel! No-bel! No-bel!” and said “That’s very nice, thank you” before adding “I just want
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On North Korea, Trump Should Refuse To Take The Bait to get the job done.” Getting the job done could very well mean walking away from the negotiating table, just as Ronald Reagan walked away at his 1986 Reykjavik summit with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev -- a move that was derided by foreign policy elites but proved pivotal to the collapse of the Soviet Union five short years later. Trump has made clear that he, like Reagan, is willing to walk away. “If we don’t think it’s going to be successful, we won’t have it,” the president said of a summit with Kim. “If the meeting when I’m there isn’t fruitful, I will respectfully leave the meeting.” This is exactly the right approach. Trump needs to go into his summit not with visions of Nobel prizes, but with eyes wide open. As Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats pointed out last May, “Pyongyang’s enshrinement of the possession of nuclear weapons in its constitution, while repeatedly stating that nuclear weapons are the basis for its survival, suggests that Kim does not intend to negotiate them away at any price.” Just last year, an American college student, Otto Warmbier, died after being detained by North Korea, and Kim was promising to fire missiles at Guam. Now he is on a charm offensive designed to buy him breathing room, lift sanctions, extort money from the West and “decouple” the United States from its ally South
Korea. To get these things, Kim will lie to Trump just as his father lied in 1994 when he promised the Clinton administration that he would abandon his nuclear program in exchange for light-water reactors and fuel oil. If Trump wants to succeed, he must want a deal less than Kim does. He must be willing to walk away and to make Kim understand that he is serious about a military option if negotiations fail. He can’t do so if he is even remotely thinking about a Nobel. Winning a Nobel Prize is irrelevant. Reagan never got a Nobel, but he is remembered as the president who brought about the peaceful collapse of the Soviet Union and won the Cold War. Barack Obama, by contrast, won a Nobel Prize just nine months after taking office for doing nothing (except
not being George W. Bush). Simply by forcing North Korea to the negotiating table, Trump has already done more to deserve the prize than Obama did. History will judge Trump not by whether he won a Nobel, but by whether he was able to stop North Korea from deploying the capability to destroy an American city with a nuclear intercontinental ballistic missile. If he fails, no prize will make up for the fact that millions of Americans will now be hostages to one of the world’s cruelest tyrants. If he succeeds, he will be remembered as one of the greatest foreign policy presidents in American history. And then, the accolades will take care of themselves. Follow Marc A. Thiessen on Twitter, @ marcthiessen. (c) 2018, The Washington Post Writers Group
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Two PSJA ISD Seniors Awarded Prestigious Gates Scholarship Two seniors from Pharr-San cipient of the Gates Scholarship, GuzJuan-Alamo ISD have been selected man was named a 2018 Dell Scholar as recipients of the prestigious 2018 and a QuestBridge Finalist. While at Gates Scholarship. AntPSJA ISD, Guzman has ony L. Guzman, from been an All-Region OrPSJA North Early College chestra member and acHigh School, and Luis tively involved on camGonzalez, from PSJA T. pus as a Calculus Mentor, Jefferson T-STEM ECHS, National Hispanic Instiare the recipients of tute member and Senior the Gates Scholarship, Class President. which will pay their enGonzalez expressed tire university career and excitement for the scholpost-graduate education. arship and shared the The Gates Scholarship impact it will have on his Antony L. Guzman is a highly selective, full post-secondary educascholarship for exceptional, Pell-eli- tion. The first-generation college stugible, minority, high school seniors. dent credits his success to the prepaStudents are selected based on their ration he has received at PSJA ISD. strong leadership, community service “PSJA ISD helps students succeed and academic achievements. Starting both in and out of school with the in 2018, the scholarship resources they provide,” will be awarded to 300 said Gonzalez who will top student leaders each be attending the Masyear with the intent of sachusetts Institute of promoting their academTechnology (MIT) this ic excellence through fall. “I have been able college graduation, and to succeed thanks to the providing them the opEarly College Program portunity to reach their and the numerous extrafull potential. With the curricular activities oflaunch of this program fered on campus.” in 2017, The Bill & MeWhile at PSJA ISD, Luis Gonzalez linda Gates Foundation Gonzalez has worked uncontinues its long-standing commit- der the guidance of University of Texas ment to helping outstanding minority Rio Grande Valley physics professors students who come from low-income Dr. Nicholas Dimakis and Dr. Eugene backgrounds realize their maximum Smotkin to co-author two extensive potential. fuel cell research papers that will be In addition to graduating from high published by the American Chemical school in May, both Guzman and Gon- Society. In addition, he is actively inzalez will be graduating with Associ- volved in numerous rigorous UIL acate Degrees from South Texas College tivities including Biology, Chemistry, in Mathematics and Engineering, re- Physics and Number Sense and was spectively. inducted into his school’s National “Receiving the Gates Scholarship Honor Society. Among his many acmakes me feel validated,” said Guz- colades include being named a Questman who will be attending Dartmouth Bridge Finalist and honored with the College this fall and double major in Hispanic Heritage Foundation’s NaComputer Science and Japanese. “I tional Engineering and Mathematics am so grateful to my family and all Youth Award alongside Disney/Pixmy teachers and counselors for always ar’s “Coco” star Anthony Gonzalez for going above and beyond to inspire us serving as inspiration to Latino youth at a special reception on Capitol Hill to pursue a higher education.” In addition to being selected as a re- recently.
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Edinburg Rotary Highlights ECISD Early College High School Program The Edinburg Rotary recently highlighted the top eight students from the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District’s Early College High School Program during its luncheon meeting at the Echo Hotel in Edinburg. “The Early College High School Program is one of many programs that allows students to earn college credit in a dual type of enrollment,” said ECISD Advanced Academics Director Angelica Perez. “The Edinburg Rotary has done a lot for our program by honoring our Early College High School students and we want to thank the Rotarians for all that they do for advancing our students’ education.” The students’ recognition is part of the Edinburg Rotary’s Student of the Month Program, which highlights two senior students from each high school. “The Early College High School Program is another avenue that focuses on students that are wanting to earn college credit but need a little assistance. So, what we do is identify a cohort of
students in each one of our high schools that are disciplined, committed and show the willpower of taking the more rigorous course work,” Perez said. “If they stick to that commitment and follow through, they are able to be college ready, earning the dual credit and many times even earning an associate’s degree from South Texas College.” The Edinburg Rotary recognized the following students: • Edinburg High School senior Elena Pacheco • Edinburg High School senior Diego Rodriguez • Edinburg North High School senior Cecilia Oros • Edinburg North High School senior Alejandro Arias • Economedes High School senior Mitzi Cantu • Economedes High School senior Alejandro Zuniga • Vela High School senior Jacqueline Tamez • Vela High School senior Joel Jasso
Former NFL Star Vince Young To Speak At ‘Buenas Tardes’ Luncheon Vince Young, whose electrifying on-field leadership resulted in a stunning comefrom-behind win for The University of Texas Longhorns in the 2006 college football BCS (Bowl Champion Series) National Championship against the defending BCS national champion USC Trojans, will be the keynote speaker tomorrow a the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce’s quarterly Buenas Tardes Luncheon. The luncheon takes place Thursday, May 10, 2018 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the new Mission Event Center located at 200 South Shary Road in Mission. The luncheon is presented by Plains Capital Bank. City leaders and business community members are encouraged to attend this informative luncheon with invaluable networking with over several hundred local professionals. Guests can look forward to hearing from Young, a record breaker, award winner, Madden NFL cover-man, restaurateur, and businessman. “We are excited to have a nationally recognized talent speak at our ‘Buenas Tardes’ Luncheon. We aim to inspire community leaders and business owners and hope they will take home a positive message,” said Robert Rosell,
President of the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce. Young played in the National Football League (NFL) for six seasons after being drafted by the Tennessee Titans with the third overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, playing five seasons in Tennese. Young led the University of Texas Longhorns as a junior quarterback, where he won the Davey O’Brien Award, awarded annually to the best college quarterback in the nation. Young has been hired by University of Texas to work for its Division of Diversity and Community Engagement as a Development Officer for program alumni relations and raising money for programs that assist first-generation and low-income college students. Sponsorships are available as well as reserved tables of 8 seats starting at $250. Tickets are only $25 per person and seating is limited. Walk-up luncheon registrations are limited and may not be available. Please arrive on time to ensure seating. To make reservations, please contact the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce at (956) 585-2727 or events@missionchamber.com or register via Eventbrite.
Students from the Edinburg CISD Early College High School Program pose for a photo during an Edinburg Rotary meeting at the Echo Hotel in Edinburg. Pictured from left are Vela High School senior Jacqueline Tamez, Vela High School senior Joel Jasso, Economedes High School senior Mitzi Cantu, Economedes High School senior Alejandro Zuniga, Edinburg North High School senior Cecilia Oros, Edinburg North High School senior Alejandro Arias, Edinburg High School senior Elena Pacheco, and Edinburg High School senior Diego Rodriguez.
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STC Holds First Law Enforcement President’s Advisory Council Meeting
Law enforcement professionals have begun offering their recommendations for identifying and developing training programs as the new Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence (RCPSE) gets underway. Law enforcement from across the region offered their input at the first President’s Advisory Council Luncheon on April 27. “Two key words are critical in the name,” said STC President Dr. Shirley A. Reed. “One is regional. Two is that it will be built on excellence. We want to maintain that focus on regional activity, and doing it with excellence. This is a concept that Dean Mario Reyna and I have been talking about for probably 20 years. “Why can’t we put together a training facility that can meet the needs of all of our local public safety law enforcement professionals, state, and federal level?” Dr. Reed said. “It’s finally getting some traction.” President Reed recently extended an invitation to leaders of the law enforcement community for inclusion on the Advisory Council. The Council will now provide regular input and recommendations for professional continuing education and degree programs. State Sens. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, and Eddie Lucio Jr., D-Brownsville, made opening remarks at the luncheon. Representatives from federal agencies in attendance included Laredo Field Operations Director David Higgerson; and RGV Customs and Border Protection Sector Chief Manuel Padilla. Representing local police departments on the Council are McAllen Chief Victor Rodriguez; Mercedes Chief Olga Maldonado; Mission Chief Robert Dominguez; Pharr Interim Chief Jose Luengo; Rio Grande City Chief Noe Castillo, and Weslaco Chief Joel Rivera. “There are challenges that law enforcement has that the public doesn’t quite grasp. One of those challenges is training,” Sen. Hinojosa said. “As we grow our law enforcement, we need to find ways to train them adequately not only to protect themselves, but to defend the public. “In addition, we don’t want our law enforcement professionals to leave the Valley for training,” Hinojosa said. “We
want to provide that here, and provide everything that is needed to have excellence in understanding the responsibilities of our law enforcement.” Together with its partners, including Valley cities and law enforcement agencies, STC has developed a $71.28 million long-range master plan for building its RCPSE in three phases. Located at 4300 S. Cage Blvd. in Pharr, the RCPSE will make STC the first border community college in the nation to establish integrative training for local, state and federal professionals in law enforcement, public safety, fire safety and Homeland Security along the US/Mexico border. “I’m really honored to join so many of our local, county, and state leaders to work with the improvement of the Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence. I feel like I am at home here in your presence because my dad was in law enforcement for 30 years. Law enforcement has a very special place in my heart,” Sen. Lucio said. “At the opening of the Regional Center last year, I was pleased to join the stakeholders from the education and law enforcement and economic development fields who all share an interest in the safety of the region and its residents. “I said then that leveraging our shared resources to achieve shared goals would be an effective strategy for nourishing a safe and vibrant community, which I think we have at this time,” Lucio said. The $71 million master plan is slated to transform the RCPSE into a Public Safety, Law Enforcement, Fire Science and Homeland Security campus by 2030. The facility is located on a 64 acre site in Pharr with 180 additional acres available for future expansion. The master plan includes 534,385 square feet of buildings, structures and a driving track to be completed in three phases over the next decade. Phase One includes a $9.9 million investment. Set for completion this fall, it includes a training center, driving/skills pad, shooting simulation lab and a driving simulation lab. Phase Two includes $10.6 million investment for fire science and Homeland Security. It includes a multi-story fire training structure, two story residential training structure and confined
South Texas College president Dr. Shirley Reed talks with law enforcement representatives from the region to draw out recommendations for identifying and developing training programs at the new Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence.
space/search and rescue training area. This phase also includes the EVOC, a cityscape with non-lethal training capacity, and a covered shooting range with firearm training classroom.
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Phase Three is a $50.6 million investment in Integrative Homeland Security, which will add a physical plant and expansive growth with new education and student services buildings.
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What is a Vehicle Service Contract And Should You Get One?
Buying a pre-owned vehicle is a wise choice for the savvy buyer. After you’ve researched the car you want and made a good deal with the dealer, it’s not over yet. After deciding to purchase a vehicle, your thoughts should then turn to saving as much as possible throughout the ownership of the vehicle. A comprehensive Vehicle Service Contract (VSC) is a must have for anyone looking to get the most return for their investment. This is especially true if the used vehicle’s basic factory warranty has expired. No matter what vehicle you own, at some point it’s going to break down; all vehicles eventually break down. No one knows when, but breakdowns are a certainty. With time and mileage, repair or replacement of standard parts is inevitable. “Repairs can be expensive when your vehicle warranty expires. Standard repairs can quickly turn into huge out-of-pocket expenses,” said Mike Trevino of Trevino Auto Mart in McAllen. “Protecting your vehicle beyond the warranty with a vehicle service contract reduces the risk of having to pay for costly repairs down the road. With our VSC programs, you can choose flexible or affordable coverage for a few components of your vehicle, or coverage that is more comprehensive. You can even choose the mileage and term
A salesperson at Trevino’s Auto Mart in McAllen shows one of their previously owned vehicles to a customer. that is best for you. If you sell your vehicle during the contract period, the coverage can be transferred to the new owner, which may increase the resale value of your vehicle. It’s something other buyers look for.” One of the best-selling vehicle service contracts offers comprehensive coverage. This coverage is so extensive, it protects nearly all mechanical and electrical components except those listed in the “What Is Not Covered” section of the agreement! According to Trevino, the best-selling VSC includes the following features and benefits:
• Pays for 100% of Parts • Pays for 100% of Labor • Free Towing • Rental car reimbursement • Roadside Assistance o 24-hour roadside assistance o Flat Tire Change o Vehicle Jump Start o Lockout key recovery o Emergency fuel, oil, coolant • Helps cover Trip interruption – reimburses hotel, meals, misc. • Transferable to subsequent owners – In-
creases Resale Value o If your vehicle breaks down due to a covered component, and you’re more than 100 miles away from home, the VSC program will reimburse you for your meal and/ or lodging expenses for up to 3 days at $150 per day. • Cancellable • Accepted Anywhere • Can be included in vehicle financing “Plan for the future now and drive worry-free,” Trevino said about getting a VSC. “We make it easy to find the right plan for your needs and budget by offering a variety of coverage levels, options and terms – all with great benefits included! Speak with your representative at Trevino’s Auto Mart today to learn more about our vehicle service contracts or call 956-686-7522.” Trevino added that all services are subject to maximum reimbursement limits and urged buyers to make sure they understand the details of the service agreement. “Whether you buy from us or from anyone else, it’s really important that the contract work for you and that you read the contract completely. We take the time to explain all the details and coverage of the contract, but not every dealer does. However, as with any contract, it is always the buyer who needs to be fully aware of all of the details.”
VOL. I, NO. 18
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 2018
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may is mental health awareness month Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. The month of May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States. Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed across the country in May since the year 1949. Researcher’s say there is growing support for more mental health resources being made available for everyone, but especially for children and teenagers. What is a mental illness? A mental illness is a condition that affects a person’s thinking, feeling or mood. Such conditions may affect someone’s ability to relate to others and function each day. Each person will have different experiences, even people with the same diagnosis. Recovery, including meaningful roles in social life, school and work, is possible, especially when you start treatment early and play a strong role in your own recovery process. A mental health condition isn’t the result of one event. Research suggests multiple, linking causes. Genetics, environment and lifestyle influence whether someone develops a mental health condition. A stressful job or home life makes some people more susceptible, as do traumatic life events like being the victim of a crime. Biochemical processes and circuits and basic brain structure may play a role, too. Recovery and Wellness One in 4 adults experiences a mental health condition every year. One in 17 lives with a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. In addition to a person’s directly experiencing a mental illness, family, friends and communities are also affected. Half of mental health conditions begin by age 14, and 75% of mental health conditions develop by age 24. The normal personality and behavior changes of adolescence may mimic or mask symptoms of a mental health condition. Early engagement and support are crucial to improving outcomes and increasing the promise of recovery. Why the awareness so important: Mental Health has been creating an environment of shame, fear and silence that prevents many people from seeking help and treatment. The perception of mental illness won’t change unless we act to change it.
Prevalence Of Mental Illness • Approximately 1 in 4 adults in the U.S.— 43.8 million, or 18.5%—experiences mental illness in a given year. • Approximately 1 in 25 adults in the U.S.— 9.8 million, or 4.0%—experiences a serious mental illness in a given year that substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities. • Approximately 1 in 5 youth aged 13–18 (21.4%) experiences a severe mental disorder at some point during their life. For children aged 8–15, the estimate is 13%. • 1.1% of adults in the U.S. live with schizophrenia. • 2.6% of adults in the U.S. live with bipolar disorder. • 6.9% of adults in the U.S.—16 million—had at least one major depressive episode in the past year. • 18.1% of adults in the U.S. experienced an anxiety disorder such as posttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and specific phobias. • Among the 20.2 million adults in the U.S. who experienced a substance use disorder, 50.5%—10.2 million adults—had a co-occurring mental illness.8\ Consequences Of Lack Of Treatment • Mood disorders, including major depression, dysthymic disorder and bipolar disorder, are the third most common cause of hospitalization in the U.S. for both youth and adults aged 18–44. • Individuals living with serious mental illness face an increased risk of having chronic medical conditions. Adults in the U.S. living with serious mental illness die on average 25 years earlier than others, largely due to treatable medical conditions. • Over one-third (37%) of students with a mental health condition age 14¬–21 and older who are served by special education drop out— the highest dropout rate of any disability group. • Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S., the 3rd leading cause of death for people aged 10–14 and the 2nd leading cause of death for people aged 15–24. • More than 90% of children who die by suicide have a mental health condition. • Each day an estimated 18-22 veterans die by suicide.
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Illnesses from Mosquito, Tick, and Flea Bites Increasing in the US
Illnesses from mosquito, tick, and flea bites have tripled in the U.S., with more than 640,000 cases reported during the 13 years from 2004 through 2016. Nine new germs spread by mosquitoes and ticks were discovered or introduced into the United States during this time. These findings are in the latest Vital Signs report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This is CDC’s first summary collectively examining data trends for all nationally notifiable diseases caused by the bite of an infected mosquito, tick, or flea. It provides detailed information on the growing burden of mosquito-borne and tickborne illnesses in the U.S. “Zika, West Nile, Lyme, and chikungunya—a growing list of diseases caused by the bite of an infected mosquito, tick, or flea—have confronted the U.S. in recent years, making a lot of people sick. And we don’t know what will threaten Americans next,” said CDC Director Robert R. Redfield, M.D. “Our Nation’s first lines of defense are state and local health departments and vector control organizations, and we must continue to enhance our investment in their ability to fight against these diseases.” U.S. not fully prepared Widespread and difficult to control, diseases from mosquito, tick, and flea bites are major causes of sickness and death worldwide. The growing number and spread of these diseases pose an increasing risk in the U.S. The report found that the nation needs to be better prepared to face this public health threat. CDC scientists analyzed data reported to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System for 16 notifiable vector-borne diseases from 2004 through 2016 to identify trends. Many infections are not reported or recognized, so it is difficult to truly estimate the overall cost and burden of these diseases. In 2016, the most common tickborne diseases in the U.S. were Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis/anaplasmosis. The most common mosquito-borne viruses were West Nile, dengue, and Zika. Though rare, plague was the most common disease resulting from the bite of an infected flea.
The increase in diseases caused by the bite of an infected mosquito, tick, or flea in the U.S. is likely due to many factors. Mosquitoes and ticks and the germs they spread are increasing in number and moving into new areas. As a result, more people are at risk for infection. Overseas travel and commerce are more common than ever before. A traveler can be infected with a mosquito-borne disease, like Zika, in one country, and then unknowingly transport it home. Finally, new germs spread by mosquito and tick bites have been discovered and the list of nationally notifiable diseases has grown. Key findings • A total of 642,602 cases of disease caused by the bite of an infected mosquito, tick, or flea were reported in the U.S. and its territories from 2004 through 2016. • The number of reported tickborne diseases more than doubled in 13 years and accounted for more than 60 percent of all reported mosquito-borne, tickborne, and fleaborne disease cases. Diseases from ticks vary from region to region across the U.S. and those regions are expanding. • From 2004 through 2016, seven new germs spread through the bite of an infected tick were discovered or recognized in the U.S. as being able to infect people. • Reducing the spread of these diseases and responding to outbreaks effectively will require additional capacity at the state and local level for tracking, diagnosing, and reporting cases; controlling mosquitoes and ticks; and preventing new infections; and for the public and private sector to develop new diagnostic and vector control tools. “The data show that we’re seeing a steady increase and spread of tickborne diseases, and an accelerating trend of mosquito-borne diseases introduced from other parts of the world,” said Lyle Petersen, M.D., M.P.H., director of the Division of Vector-Borne Diseases in the CDC’s National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases. “We need to support state and local health agencies responsible for detecting and responding to these diseases and controlling the mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas that spread them.”
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Understanding Blood Pressure Readings What do your blood pressure numbers mean? The only way to know (diagnose) if you have high blood pressure (HBP or hypertension) is to have your blood pressure tested. Understanding your blood pressure numbers is key to controlling high blood pressure. Healthy and unhealthy blood pressure ranges Learn what’s considered normal, as recommended by the American Heart Association. BLOOD PRESSURE CATEGORIES The five blood pressure ranges as recognized by the American Heart Association are: • Normal blood pressure Congratulations on having blood pressure numbers that are within the normal (optimal) range of less than 120/80 mm Hg. Keep up the good work and stick with heart-healthy habits like following a balanced diet and getting regular exercise. • Elevated Elevated blood pressure is when readings are consistently ranging from 120-129 systolic and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic. People with elevated blood pressure are likely to develop high blood pressure unless steps are taken to control it. • Hypertension Stage 1 Hypertension Stage 1 is when blood pressure is consistently ranging from 130-139 systolic or 80-89 mm Hg diastolic. At this stage of high blood pressure, doctors are likely to prescribe lifestyle changes and may consider adding blood pressure medication based on your risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) such as heart attack or stroke. You can learn more about your risk by using the Check. Change. Control. Calculator™. • Hypertension Stage 2 Hypertension Stage 2 is when blood pressure is consistently ranging at levels of 140/90 mm Hg or higher. At this
stage of high blood pressure, doctors are likely to prescribe a combination of blood pressure medications along with lifestyle changes. • Hypertensive crisis This is when high blood pressure requires medical attention.If your blood pressure readings suddenly exceed 180/120 mm Hg, wait five minutes and test again. If your readings are still unusually high, contact your doctor immediately. You could be experiencing a hypertensive crisis. If your blood pressure is higher than 180/120 mm Hg and you are experiencing signs of possible organ damage such as chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness/weakness, change in vision, difficulty speaking, do not wait to see if your pressure comes down on its own. Call 9-1-1. Your blood pressure numbers and what they mean Your blood pressure is recorded as two numbers: • Systolic blood pressure (the upper number) — indicates how much pressure your blood is exerting against
your artery walls when the heart beats. • Diastolic blood pressure (the lower number) — indicates how much pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls while the heart is resting between beats. Which number is more important? Typically, more attention is given to systolic blood pressure (the top number) as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease for people over 50. In most people, systolic blood pressure rises steadily with age due to the in-
creasing stiffness of large arteries, long-term build-up of plaque and an increased incidence of cardiac and vascular disease. However, elevated systolic or diastolic blood pressure alone may be used to make a diagnosis of high blood pressure. And, according to recent studies, the risk of death from ischemic heart disease and stroke doubles with every 20 mm Hg systolic or 10 mm Hg diastolic increase among people from age 40 to 89.