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Posted on Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 5:57 a.m.

Hypertension is very important to control and it's easy to do

By Alan Caldwell

Dr.-Steven-Yarows-with-IHA-Chelsea-Family-and-Internal-Medicine

Dr. Steven Yarows with IHA Chelsea Family and Internal Medicine

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a very significant health issue, but one that can be controlled easily and inexpensively. We heard that message from Dr. Steven Yarows on the show this past weekend. Dr. Yarows is a specialist in hypertension with the IHA Chelsea Family and Internal Medicine office.

Dr. Yarows explained that when your average blood pressure is too high, your body gets worn down. Uncontrolled hypertension is the most common cause of strokes and can also cause heart attacks and kidney disease. High blood pressure is generally caused by genetics.

We talked about the two numbers that indicate your blood pressure. The first number is the systolic number (when blood is being pumped away from the heart). The second is the diastolic or rest phase. Dr. Yarows indicated that at home your blood pressure should be less than 130/85, while at the office (where you are likely not as relaxed), blood pressure should be less than 140/90. For those over 50 years old, the top number is the most important.

The good news is that hypertension is easily and inexpensively controlled. There are more than 120 drugs used to control high blood pressure.

Dr. Yarows strongly recommends a home blood pressure machine to self-monitor how you are doing. He likes the fully electronic machines which are very accurate, durable and reasonably priced at $50 to $70. It's important to have the right cuff for your arm size to get an accurate reading.

Dr. Yarows encourages recording and tracking your blood pressure, and has a simple spreadsheet to help with that task — click HOME BP GRAPH.xls to download. Place dot points on the graph to visually see how you are doing.

To hear our 14-minute conversation, click the audio link:

Everything Elderly 0421 Dr Steven Yarows.mp3">

To get in touch with Dr. Yarows or the IHA office in Chelsea, call 734-475-8677 or visit the website ihacares.com.

Kendra-Kerr-with-Gray-Hair-Management

Kendra Kerr with Gray Hair Management

Photos by Sheila Doeden

Kendra Kerr joined our conversation next. Kendra is the area representative for Gray Hair Management. This is a networking group and a coaching service, primarily helping experienced business professionals in a career transition and looking for a new position. These people want to make networking connections and may also need assistance with interviewing skills and resumes.

Kendra started her Entrepreneur's Source business five years ago and got involved with Gray Hair Management as an effective way to make people aware of business ownership opportunities.

The Gray Hair Management group meets the second Wednesday of each month, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., at the Sandler Training office at 501 Avis Drive in Ann Arbor.

Besides the opportunities to meet and network with other local business people, the monthly meetings also feature speakers on useful topics such as how to use LinkedIn, and how to volunteer for nonprofit boards.

The real benefits come outside the meetings, when participants connect and have meaningful discussions to better understand each other's experiences and career objectives. Kendra stated that 85 percent of all job offers come from networking, not from want ads. She emphasized the need to get out and meet people and tell everyone you know you are looking for a job.

We talked about Kendra's Entrepreneur's Source. She helps people research and purchase franchise businesses. Many people are tired of the corporate world and want to do their own thing, and franchises provide that opportunity. She has many local success stories including Sharon Ragland-Keys, who started College Nannies and Tutors a couple years ago and has been very successful.

To listen to this 13-minute discussion, click the audio link:

Everything Elderly 0421 Kendra Kerr.mp3">

To get in touch with Kendra, Gray Hair Management, or sign up for the next meeting, please call 734-369-6145 or visit the website grayhairmanagement.com.

Alan Caldwell and Sheila Doeden co-host Everything Elderly every Saturday morning at 8:30 on 1290 WLBY. In their day jobs, Alan and Sheila co-own and co-manage Senior Helpers, providing in-home care services, primarily to the elderly. Both can be contacted at homecareexcellence@seniorhelpers.com, or at 734-927-3111.

Comments

BhavanaJagat

Wed, Apr 25, 2012 : 3:26 p.m.

Material Functions have Material Causes: Thanks for that response. If there is a material function, it is always supported by a material cause. The physiological function called blood pressure is supported by the Cardiovascular system which is subject to both internal and external influences. Heart can perform this mechanical action and serve as a pump if there is harmony in interactions between various tissues, and other organ systems within the body and it also needs harmony in man's interactions with the environment in which he exists and with the social community in which he lives. The term "Lifestyle" is imprecise and vague and does not indicate or specify the kind of change that is needed. Apart from physical exercise, heart may function under the influence of our moods and emotions. We need to specifically seek Peace, Harmony, and Tranquility in the nature of Biotic Interactions within the individual and in the individual's interactions with his environment and community. The research or investigation of the problem of Hypertension should not be limited to genetic factors and it must include the material substance in which the genes exist and perform their actions. This material substance is called Protoplasm and it has the potency to bring harmony and functional unity within the human organism. By knowing and understanding the spiritual nature of this material substance, man achieves peace, harmony, and tranquility in his external interactions to gain freedom from biological stress associated with our actions and living functions.

Alan Caldwell

Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 8:20 p.m.

Posting from Dr. Steven Yarows: Genetics are the major cause of hypertension, however the hypertension risk can be modified by improving lifestyle. The DASH diet has been shown to be useful, however these were patients that were given the food to eat, therefore an artificial environment. None-the-less, motivated individuals should consider it. Salt limitation is especially important for African Americans, elderly, and obese individuals. There are many research projects about the genetics of hypertension. This area is a work in progress. I have seen individuals improve blood pressure control by exercising and losing weight. However, some Marathon runners are hypertensives. There are many other benefits to weight loss and exercise, even if it does not help control the hypertension. Steven Yarows, MD, FACP, FASH Chelsea Family and Internal Medicine Michigan Hypertension Center IHA 128 Van Buren Chelsea, MI 48118 Voice/fax: (734) 475-8677

Stacy

Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 10:38 p.m.

Thank you to Dr. Yarrows for responding to my comment and also for the Excel BP tracker download link.

BhavanaJagat

Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 4:48 p.m.

I wonder if there would be a response to the inquiry made by Stacy. If it is possible, AnnArbor.com must invest time to take action on the comments made by readers and provide further information as needed. I would not be surprised if the Doctor is totally unaware of this news story which shared his photo image. Hypertension is described as 'mutifactorial' in its origin and hence several factors including genes are involved. We inherit these genes and we have no control on those genetic factors. But, we can avoid causing damage to these genes and avoid disruption of the functions like protein/enzyme synthesis they perform. Smoking and exposure to environmental toxins could cause DNA damage. Body weight is a factor and we need to use moderation in the consumption of food and drink. Psychogenic stress, lack of sleep, lack of physical and mental relaxation are all additional factors. It is not uncommon to observe that some members of a given family may get hypertension and others escape.

Stacy

Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 1:35 p.m.

I would like a better understanding of how much of hypertension is due to lifestyle choices (for Caucasians), since Dr. Yarrows states that it is primary caused by genetics. It is worthwhile to loose the extra pounds and cut back on salt? Could Dr. Yarows please comment on the UCSF study published last year that approximates 30 percent or more of the variation in hypertension risk among individuals is due to genetics? Reference-- Blood Pressure Risk Gene Search May Need New Approach 9/14/11 Source: University of California, San Francisco Here is a link to a report on that study: http://www.ucsf.edu/news/2011/09/10615/hypertension-blood-pressure-risk-gene-search

BhavanaJagat

Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 4:27 p.m.

The Medical Doctrine of Dialectical Spiritualism : Claude Bernard has described the 'inner environment' of a living organism called 'Milieu Interieur' and stated the principle called 'Homeostasis': "all the vital mechanisms, varied as they are, have only one object; that of preserving constant the conditions of life." An organism because of the operation of the homeostatic principle tends to maintain harmonious relationships between the functions of its cells, tissues, and varied organ systems. High Blood Pressure as a disease entity displays the lack of this Peace, Harmony, and Tranquility in man's inner environment. Spiritualism is the potency that establishes harmonious interactions between cells, tissues, and organs of the human body. The genetic factors that contribute to the problem of Hypertension must be related to the nature of the body's living substance called Protoplasm which is called cytoplasm if it is located inside a cell outside the nucleus of the cell. Genes are located in chromosomes found inside the nucleus. Genes have no independent existence of their own. They perform living functions like that of protein synthesis only if their function is supported by the ability of cytoplasm to provide substances and energy for the protein synthesis. By understanding, and knowing the nature of this living substance, man can direct the various component parts of his body to seek peace, harmony, and tranquility in their interactions. It could be reasonable to study Blood Pressure as a problem of homeostasis and as that of establishing inner peace, harmony, and tranquility.