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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1998-07-22, Page 6Are you at risk? Coreplex® Hawthorn Tonic • Hawthorn can widen blood vessels, especially the coronary arteries, according to a report published in the Lawrence Review of Natural Products. The relaxation of the blood vessels' smooth muscles appears to cause this effect. In addition, some of the tlavonoids in hawthorn help prevent the narrowing of blood vessels, explains B. Haysteen in "Flavonoids, a class of natural products of high pharmacological potency" (Biochem Pharm 32:1141-1148, 1982) 222 Josephine Street WINGHAM 357-3466 1,92 APOT‘HEEARY Full Service Pharmacy offering • On-site blood pressure testing • Manual & Electronic blood pressure test kits in stock for home testing Blyth 523-4210 Emergency No. 482-9475 Wayne Caldwell of the Huron County Planning Department attended the July 7 session of Mor- ris Twp. council to discuss an amendment request concerning the development of Class 1-3 lands. Caldwell told council that if such an amendment were made, the min- imum distance separation must be considered and that there could be a significant impact across the coun- ty, particularly on a number of sev- erances. He also believes the province would not approve the proposed policy. Reeve Bert Elliott named three possible places where the policy might apply. Council felt there were very few places the policy would apply and would not restrict agriculture. Right to Farm, a board set up to deal with complaints, was dis- cussed. Council was told there is no guarantee that Morris Twp. will establish a policy for development of Class 1-3 land if it is not set up in the Huron County plan. There was a suggestion that draft wording be included in the Huron County plan which would add more certainty for the township incorpo- rating the policy in its plan. Caldwell will return with sugges- tions. Brian Kellington, owner of Lots 64-67, Plan 162 in Belgrave, attended the meeting to discuss the possible rezoning of the south two lots to allow for a 60' by 100' main- tenance shop. Kellington said he would like the entrance to be off Parker Drive, is not proposing to truck livestock and that the rezoning for a•truck terminal be restricted to his owner- ship of the property. Council suggested Kellington speak with his neighbours about the proposal. Weed inspector John Gibson asked that roadsides be cut to the ditch. Road Superintendent Lloyd Michie will look into the matter. Elliott and Councillors Keith Johnston, Kevin Pletch and Neil Warwick will attend the Associa- tion of Municipalities of Ontario conference in Toronto. Elliott will attend on behalf of the county. General and road accounts in the amounts of $275,917.79 and $25,770.78, were approved for pay- ment. Keeping an eye out Three-year-old Tori Cardiff of Brussels made sure no one was taking a look at her food during the Brussels Legion's blackout breakfast, Sunday morning. The Legion hosted the event while dozens of homeowners in the village were without power as hydro workers did repairs at the corner of Tumberry and Flora Streets. PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 1998. Morris told amendment could have impact county Tips to understanding high blood pressure High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects more than 3 million Canadians. However, 26 per cent of these hypertensive patients are unaware that they have high blood pressure because it is an asymptomatic condition. High blood pressure occurs when blood vessels narrow (vasoconstric- tion) and put too much pressure on the artery walls. Elevated blood pressure indicates that the heart is working harder than normal, putting both the heart and arteries under greater stress. If left untreated, high blood pressure can eventually lead to heart attack, enlarged heart, stroke or kidney damage. What causes high blood pressure? Surprisingly, in approximately 90 per cent of high blood pressure cases, the cause is unknown. This type of high blood pressure is called essential hypertension. In the remaining 10 per cent of cases, high blood pressure is a symptom of a recognizable underlying problem such as a kidney abnormality, a tumor of the adrenal gland (located above the kidney), or a heart defect. When the cause is corrected, blood pressure usually returns to normal. This type of high blood pressure is called secondary hypertension. What factors contributed to high blood pressure? Although medical science has not identified the causes of most cases of high blood pressure, it is known that several factors may contribute to hypertension. Lack of physical activity, obesity and excessive salt consumption are some avoidable risk factors. Age is also considered a risk factor. Generally speaking, the older people get, the more likely they are to develop high blood pressure. Heredity is another factor. Some experts now believe that people whose parents have high blood pressure are more likely to develop it than those whose parents don't. A number of studies have also linked chronic stress and anxiety with high blood pressure in both men and women. What are the symptoms of high blood pressure? High blood pressure is an asymptomatic disease and has therefore been labeled the "silent killer." This condition can be present for decades, causing. progressive heart and blood vessel diseases, before it is recognized. While symptoms such as headache, dizziness and blurred vision can occur, they are rare. What can be done about high blood pressure? For people with only mild high blood pressure, dietary and lifestyle changes may help. Some people can lower their blood pressure by reducing their salt intake and restricting their alcohol consumption. For many people, maintaining a healthy weight and increasing physical activity can also reduce blood pressure. If simple lifestyle changes are inadequate, drug therapy has been proven to reduce the risk of heart and blood vessel disease. Many medications (known as antihypertensives) are available to lower high blood pressure. They -work in different ways on the heart, blood vessels and nervous system to reduce blood pressure. Since the 1950s, several medications to treat high blood pressure have been developed. Over the years, scientific research has allowed patients to benefit from more efficacious and better tolerated treatments. The latest advance came in 1995 with the introduction of a new class of antihypertensives called Angiotensin-II receptor antagonists. Studies have shown that controlling high blood pressure significantly reduces the risk of heart and blood vessel disease. The most important approach remains public awareness and screening to detect this "silent killer." For more information about high blood pressure or treatment options, speak to your doctor. Women also at risk for hypertension While no one knows exactly what causes most cases of high blood pressure, we do know that women should be particularly on guard against its early onset. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, greatly increases a woman's ,chance of developing cardiovascular diseases, and it is the most important risk factor for stroke. Hypertension is still thought of as a "man's disease." But in fact, more than half of Canadian women will develop high blood pressure at some point in their life and will account for 58 per cent of all deaths due to hypertension. Pregnant women can experience a fast-developing form of high blood pressure in the last three months before delivery, which can be hazardous to both mother and baby if it is not treated. Typically, the mother's blood pressure returns to normal after the baby is born. However, sometimes pregnancy- induced hypertension (called transient hypertension) becomes chronic, requiring long-term treatment. In some women, contraceptive pills have been known to raise high blood pressure. This occurs more frequently among women who are overweight, who have kidney disease, or who have a family history 9f blood pressure problems. Studies also show that women who take birth control pills and smoke are particularly at risk for high blood pressure. Being overweight, or gaining a lot of weight at a young age, increases a woman's risk of suffering high blood pressure later in life. It is important for a woman to maintain a healthy weight for her height, build and age throughout her life. Women — and men — are at particular risk for developing hypertension if they come from families in which there is a history of tie condition. In addition, a number of studies have linked chronic stress and anxiety with high blood pressure in women. Menopause: a risk factOr unique to women After menopause, a woman's risk of high blood pressure increases due to reduced estrogen levels. Post-menopausal women are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure than men of a comparable age, so regular post-menopause blood pressure checks are a good idea. Talk to your doctor about how often you should have it checked. Not only a man's disease There is currently a lack--of information concerning women and high blood pressure. Many women are not being made aware of the risk factors unique to them. But, the situation is improving. Women should also pay attention to risk factors such as smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes, physical inactivity, family history, increasing age and obesity. Take action Women with a special risk of high blood pressure should have it checked, as even slightly high levels double the risk of heart attack and stroke. It is important to diagnose and treat hypertension, because it left untreated, it seriously increases the risk of heart attack, enlarged heart, stroke or kidney damage. All women should take an active role in learning about and preventing high blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, talk to your doctor about treatment options and lifestyle changes you can make to control it.