During Thursday's Women's Health Fair at the Recreation and Physical Activity Center, Ohio State Student Health Services set up shop on a plastic picnic table and gave free blood pressure screenings. The screenings aimed to raise student awareness of hypertension.
"College-age students really should have their blood pressure checked," said Kelly Gembala, a 2009 pharmacy school candidate who ran blood pressure screenings. "I don't think any of my friends get their blood pressure checked. They smoke and drink and really should have it checked."
Some symptoms of high blood pressure include "a rapid heart beat, sweating and feeling anxious," said Marla Marie Samide, a pharmacy school candidate who also gave blood pressure readings at the fair.
Most of the signs of hypertension are less noticeable, however.
"Typically it's called a silent killer because nobody knows they have high blood pressure." said Joe Makarich, a pharmacy services manager. "When you're hungry you know you're hungry because you feel it, but high blood pressure isn't like that. You don't feel it."
He said high blood pressure can compromise the integrity of the vascular system.
High blood pressure is usually the result of the heart encountering more resistance within blood vessels. As people age, plaque builds up on artery walls and arteries become more narrow. This raises blood pressure, causing the heart to work harder.
If blood pressure gets too high it can cause capillaries, spiderweb-thin arteries, to fail or explode.
"Every tissue, every cell, every organ in the body has to have 'x' amount of blood at every time." Makarich said. "If it doesn't get it, it dies." Other risks include increased risk of strokes and heart attacks.
Makarich said students can monitor their intake of caffeine and other stimulants to reduce their risk of high blood pressure. Exercising while hyped up on caffeine can be especially deadly.
Leslie Davidson, a senior in human development and family science, said students could benefit from the health fair. "It's good to have a base reading of your numbers."
Makarich suggested having at least ten blood pressure readings taken, then averaging them to determine a trend.
Trish Houston, coordinator of minor and professional writing, had her blood pressure checked Thursday.
"I need to be paying attention to my health and wellness in a way that mothers often can't."
Jacob Donham can be reached at donham.2@osu.edu.
2008 Woodie Awards
Be the first to comment on this story