By: Tammy Babcock, MHA, RRT-NPS
Executive Director, Coastal Health & Wellness
If you could avoid a pothole in the street before it gave you a flat tire, you would steer around it, right? Of course you would! That’s exactly the idea behind health screenings — allowing you to see what’s coming so you can take corrective action.
Coastal Health & Wellness is happy to offer an opportunity for FREE blood pressure and glucose screenings on September 7 in our mobile clinic in the parking lot of our Galveston clinic, located at 4700 Broadway. No appointment is needed – just stop by any time between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to be screened.
Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a common and dangerous condition. Having high blood pressure means the pressure of the blood in your blood vessels is higher than it should be.
About 1 in 3 U.S. adults—or about 70 million people—have high blood pressure. Only about half (52%) of these people have their high blood pressure under control. This common condition increases the risk for heart disease and stroke, two of the leading causes of death for Americans.
Lifestyle changes can help you control your blood pressure:
- Diet. Eat a healthy diet that is:
- Low in salt (sodium), total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol.
- High in fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Be active. Try taking a brisk 10-minute walk 3 times a day 5 days a week.
- Do not smoke. If you smoke, quit as soon as possible. Visit Smokefree.gov for tips on quitting.
Blood Glucose
The A1C test is a blood test used to measure the average level of glucose in the blood over the last two to three months. This test is used to check how well blood sugar levels are being controlled in a person with diabetes and can also be used in the diagnosis of diabetes. Think of the A1C test as feedback to help you better control your diabetes and improve your diabetes care habits.
Making these healthy changes can help you improve your day-to-day blood sugar management and lower your A1C:
- Move more. Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise five days a week.
- Eat a balanced diet with proper portion sizes.
- Stick to a schedule.
- Follow your treatment plan.
- Check your blood sugar as directed.
We hope you’re able to make it to our screening event but if you can’t, consider scheduling an appointment with a Coastal Health & Wellness provider to be screened. Call (409) 938-2234 or visit www.coastalhw.org for information about appointments and the many insurance plans we accept.
Screenings can help you avoid health potholes!
Tammy Babcock, MHA, RRT-NPS is executive director of Coastal Health & Wellness.
Coastal Health & Wellness is Galveston County’s Community Health Center, with clinics in Texas City and Galveston. CHW offers high-quality primary medical, dental and counseling services to county residents. CHW accepts Medicaid, Medicare and many major insurance plans and offers discounted rates for eligible county residents. Call (409) 938-2234 for information or appointments.
# # #
