Oak Street Medical Blog

May is High Blood Pressure Education Month and May 17th is World Hypertension Day. The CDC reports that nearly 68 million people have high blood pressure. Aso called hypertension, high blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, which are two of the top three leading causes of death in the United States.

Blood pressure is typically written as two numbers. The first (systolic) number is the top number and it is the higher of the two numbers. It measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats. The second (diastolic) is the bottom number, which is the lower of the two numbers and  measures the pressure in the arteries between heart beats.

Normal blood pressure is a systolic number less than 120 mmHg and diastolic number less than 80 mmHg. High or abnormal blood pressure is a systolic number of 140 mmHg or higher or diastolic number of 90 mmHg or higher. If your numbers fall in between, with a systolic number ranging from 120-139 mmHg or diastolic ranging from 80-89 mmHg, you are considered to be in the prehypertension category.

Below is a chart created by the American Heart Association that will help you see where you fall in terms of blood pressure:

Quick facts on high blood pressure:

• One in three adults have high blood pressure.
• One in three adults with high blood pressure do not get treatment.
• One in two adults with high blood pressure do not have it under control.
• For people younger than 45 years old, the condition affects more men than women. Women 65 years and older are more affected than their male counterparts.
• Over 20 percent of American adults ages 18 years or older have prehypertension.
• In the U.S., high blood pressure is more common among African Americans than whites; about 44 percent of African American women have high blood pressure.
• Hypertension is a major risk factor for heart disease, congestive heart failure, kidney disease and stroke.
• In 2007, high blood pressure was a primary or contributing cause of death for 336,353 Americans. Also in 2007, more than 46 million visits were made to doctor’s offices for hypertension.

Hypertension in industrialized countries
Among most populations in industrialized countries, the prevalence of hypertension increases dramatically with age; in the United States the prevalence increases from about 10 percent in persons 30 years of age to 50 percent in those 60 years of age. However, some persons, including strict vegetarians, whose diet consists of mostly vegetable products, and those whose sodium intake is low, have virtually no increase in hypertension with age.

What can you do?
You can be aware of hypertension. We also recommend that you raise awareness of hypertension with your family and friends. Consider sending a Health-e-Card, which poses the question “Do you know your blood pressure numbers?” Please feel free to ask our physicians about hypertension.

We will discuss hypertension prevention, as well as diet, genetic factors and hypertension types in greater detail in future blog posts, so check back often.

Dr. Andrew Gilchrist mountain biking

At Oak Street Medical, we do our best to walk the talk when it comes to fitness and wellness. As a healthcare clinic, our providers and staff understand the importance of regular exercise, eating healthy and striving to meet personal goals, and we encourage one another to adopt these healthy habits.

By promoting a culture of wellness, our hope is that patients will be inspired to follow in our footsteps and walk, run, bike, swim and play more often.

We know it's a constant challenge to stay motivated, especially during our long, wet winters. But we know you're up to the challenge! To provide you a little boost, we'll tell you what we here at Oak Street Medical do to stay healthy and fit.

Weight Loss

For a couple of years, Weight Watchers® came in once a week and worked with our staff; collectively, we lost hundreds of pounds. We also gave up our high-calorie group lunches and have since encouraged healthy brown-bagging.

The Eugene Marathon

Oak Street Medical has accounted for 20-30 entrants in the Eugene Marathon or half marathon every year, since its inception. Many of us train year-round to compete in this event. More than 20 Oak Street Medical staff and providers will be participating in the 2012 Eugene Marathon. We encourage you to join us; registration closes April 20.

Left: Beth Smith at a past Eugene Marathon.
Middle: Melanie Wayne at a past Eugene Marathon.
Right: Oak Street Medical women's softball team.

Smoke-Free Campus and employee policies

Oak Street Medical has a smoke free campus, because many studies show that employer policies that encourage workers to be tobacco free, drug free, eat well, and exercise more will help improve their health and morale, as well as decrease absenteeism and increase productivity. If you already have a smoke-free policy in place, that's great. If not, consider being an advocate for change at your place of employment.

Our Softball Team

Last year, several members of our staff formed a women's softball team, and we're looking forward to another great season. Consider forming a team at your work, whether it's softball, volleyball, soccer or another sport. The City of Eugene Athletics program, which helps coordinate local leagues, is a great place to start.

Dr. Lisa Emond in the water

Dr. Kraig Jacobson in the water.

Scuba and Snorkeling

Many of us here at Oak Street Medical participate in water activities, such as swimming, snorkeling and scuba. And there are many places in our community to get wet, including the YMCA, Willamalane Park Swim Center and several private athletic clubs.

Biking to work and to play

We have at least two doctors who regularly ride their bikes to work and also ride recreationally. Biking to work and using your bike to run errands is a great way to get where you need to go and get some quality exercise at the same time. It's also a great way to let off steam at the end of the day. There's even a bike map of Eugene to help get you started.

Left: Tracy Willemsen works our regularly at Oakway Fitness. You can even find a video of her on their website.
Middle: Dr. Jason Friesen running the Hood to Coast.
Upper right: Jennifer Schenk participates in marathons and triathlons.
Lower Middle: Dr. Andrew Gilchrist running the Portland Marathon in less than three hours.
Lower right: Dr. Sarah Kehl participating in a triathlon.

Get up, get out, get moving

We urge our patients to get out and enjoy all that Eugene has to offer, whether it's tackling your first half or full marathon, supporting Komen's Race for the Cure, taking a your dog for a walk, or riding your bike along any of Eugene's beautiful bike paths. You will likely see our providers and staff out there!

If you have questions about which physical activities may be right for you, contact us.