St. Mary Queen of Creation Parish in conjunction with the St. Joseph's Mercy
of Macomb Parish Nursing Network, has developed a Health Ministry as an
outreach to the parish and community. The leadership of this ministry is entrusted
to the registered nurses of the parish who have been educated as parish nurses, working together with other nurses professionals and volunteers of the parish. We welcome anyone who wishes to join us in obtaining the goals of our health ministry. If you have any questions concerning Parish Nurses, please call Glorianne or Albert, our Parish Nurses at 586.725.2441ex 15 or email nurse@smqoc.com
BLOOD PRESSURE ADVISORY
WHAT IS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?
When you have high blood pressure, or hypertension, the force of blood against your artery walls is too strong. High blood pressure can damage your arteries, heart, and kidneys, and lead to atherosclerosis and stroke. Hypertension is called a "silent killer'' because it does not cause symptoms unless it is severely high and, without your knowing it, causes major organ damage if not treated.
Your blood pressure measurement consists of two numbers: systolic and diastolic.
The systolic measurement is the pressure of blood against your artery walls when the heart has just finished pumping (contracting). It is the first or top number of a blood pressure reading.
The diastolic measurement is the pressure of blood against your artery walls between heartbeats, when the heart is relaxed and filling with blood. It is the second or bottom number in a blood pressure reading.
Many people have high blood pressure for years without knowing it. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure or kidney failure. The only way to tell if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked. According to recent estimates, one in four U.S. adults has high blood pressure, but because there are no symptoms, nearly one-third of these people don't know they have it. This is why high blood pressure is often called the "silent killer."
St. Mary’s Parish Nurses conduct periodic blood pressure screenings.
Announcements of future screenings are made at all masses and are placed in the Luminary