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Show 14 Hilltop Times April 28, 1994 Ease lifestyles assessedfor healthfulness The lifestyles and health habits of Hill's population have been surveyed and assessed to make the base health program more responsive to the needs of the community. Surveys were sent to a cross section of the base population that included active-dut- y military and their family members, retirees and their family members and civilian employees. Six focus areas of healthy lifestyles were addressed: D Nutrition D Physical fitness Tobacco use D Stress management respondents reported that they participate in aerobic exercise at least three" times a week, which contributes to: healthy lifestyles by keeping cholesterol and blood pressure down and helping maintain weight. More than half (54 percent) reported that they have never smoked and 32 percent said they had quit smoking within the past three years, but a separate informal survey indicated memthat 28 percent of active-dut- y bers still use tobacco. Smoking cessation classes are available for military members and their families through the Health Promotion Office; and for civilians, classes are periodically offered through the Thornton Community Center. The survey showed that many feel they are under excessive stress at offer Office, Ext. classes. stress-reductio- n 95 percent do not usually have more than three alcoholic beverages eachs then-dayday; 69 percent do not drink on off; however, 2 percent said they have seven or more drinks on then-day-s off, indicating that concern about alcohol consumption is valid. The Sooffers cial Actions Office, Ext. e substance-abuscounseling and help for problems. Cancer prevention questions about self-examinati- self-examinati- (29-5- 2 three-fourt- (74 . percent) Questions about alcohol consumption elicited the following responses: mammography and Pap smears indicated an appropriate level of awareease prevention ness. The survey did not address or testicular breast to Responses questions about or most habits indicated that screening for coldietary cancers. The and other of 14 time some work are know foods what the (47 percent); on, prostate percent) Ext. Promotion felt Office, bad The under and for Health them. good they were "good" percent said they on and low literature fiber stress most of the time. Responses has videotapes fat, high category included and fruit and vegetable foods; the "bad" were about the same for. stress at cancer screening prevention. Most of the participants were aware category included fried, high fat and home (41 percent and 8 percent, cholesterol foods. More than half said respectively). Nearly (73 of the dangers associated with high that healthy food choices are identified percent) said they practiced some type blood pressure. Ninety-fivpercent at eating facilities on base. of stress management on a regular ba- had their blood pressure checked withNearly half (48 percent) of the sis. The Family Support Center, Ext. in two years; 12 percent reported their Substance abuse prevention D Cancer and cardiovascular dis- blood pressure was high and most of them took action to correct it. Most and the Health Promotions hs e -- had also had their cholesterol checked within the past five years. Health risk and blood pressure screenings are available through the Health Promotion Office, Ext for organizations and events held on base. Slightly more than half (56 percent) said they were not aware of the base health promotion program. To alleviate this, each organization on base has been asked to appoint a unit representative for the program. Also, a new health promotions brochure is being distributed to unit representatives and at newcomers' briefings. "The Hill AFB Health Promotion Program is committed to helping the base community achieve healthy lifestyles, and we will continue to work for improvements in the program to meet the needs of our clients,',' said Capt. Susan Lori Irons, base health promotion manager. For more information call Ext. or stop by the office in the 649th Medical Group Annex, Bldg. 1295-N- . High blood pressure causes most strokes Hypertension high blood pressure causes 75 percent of all first strokes and is the third leading cause of death in Utah. It affects 20 to 30 percent of Utahns. Yet, despite the obvious dangers of having high blood pressure, Utahns' awareness of the condition has not increased since 1989. Several methods are available for having blood pressure checks at Hill AFB. Blood pressure screenings may be scheduled at base organizations by contacting the Health Promotions Office at Ext. Also, periodic blood pressure screenings are held at the community areas on base; check the base news-- ' paper for announcements. In addition, a free automatic blood pressure machine is located at the Westside Fitness Center. Individuals eligible for care at the 649th Medical Group may have blood pressure checks at the Family Practice Clinic. However, it is important to bring your medical record. Hours of this service are 7:30 a.m. to noon and p.m. Monday through Friday. No appointment is required. Further, a hypertension class is offered, for no charge, on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the 419th Reserve Training Building, south of the base a.m. The class is open to all hospital, from civilian and military personnel and their families. Class instructors wUl discuss what high blood pressure is, risk factors, diet, exercise and medications. Speakers will include a physician from Internal Medicine, a pharmacist and representatives from Physical Therapy and Nutritional Medicine. Blood pressure screening is part of the program, and if 30 30 desired, blood will be drawn for lipid profile (test results show cholesterol,; triglycerides and HDL levels). . flictions as stroke, coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure. Even though stroke deaths decreased 32 percent from 1980 to 1992, disability associated with high blood pressure has not dropped. "We have about the same rate of strokes occurring each year, but more people are surviving them," Ware said. "At least bes of stroke survivors are tween the ages of 35 and 65, who havebecome unemployable because of disability brought on by a . The class is not only for those diagnosed with hypertension; the information will teach factors each person has over keeping blood pressure in check. To sign up, call the Health Promotions Office at Ext. one-thir- d About 19 percent of Utahns surveyed by the Department of Health's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey reported having high blood pressure. Those older than 60 years of age were more aware of their high blood pressure than younger adults. Overweight Utahns were also more likely to know they were hypertensive. The BRFSS is a monthly random telephone survey to determine the status of Utahns' health. health behaviors may be according to Lynne Nilson, Bureau of Health Promotion. "Since older Utahns are more aware of blood pressure levels, our efforts will now target younger adults," said Joan Ware of the Bureau of Chronic Disease Control "Recent national efforts to increase cholesterol awareness have been so successful that Utahns may be forgetting the importance pf blood pressure checks." Because hypertension has no symptoms Ware said younger Utahns don't feel the need to visit a doctor or get blood pressure checks. She said many people still are unaware of their condition or are not taking action to control it. This results in such af stroke." Self-reporte-d under-reporte- wage-earner- d, . Ware would like to see Utahns take greater responsibility for their own health. She said 98 percent of hypertension can be controlled with medication, weight control, exercise and sometimes diet or sodium restriction. The National Heart and Lung and Blood Institute and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended annual screening for all children and adolescents from ages 3 through 20. Adults 21 to 64 who have verified low blood pressure should have it checked every two years. Adults with a family history of heart disease, and those who have hypertension, should be checked annually. For more information about hypertension and availability of screenings, contact your local health department, the American Heart Association at or the Bureau of Chronic Disease Control at (Article courtesy of Utah Department of Health and 649th Medical Group at 538-614- 1. |