The Importance of Routine Blood Pressure Checks

Sound Living

High blood pressure – also known as hypertension – is often referred to as the “silent killer” because it may show no symptoms until there are greater problems. The Kansas Health Foundation’s Distinguished Professor of Community Health at Kansas State University, Elaine Johannes, says Extension agents are being trained as Healthy Heart Ambassadors to check blood pressure and coach community members on how to take their blood pressure and manage it using good practices that are fairly easy to do. This includes exercising regularly, eating a heart healthy diet, reducing sodium, limiting alcohol and getting a good night’s sleep.

Sound Living is a weekly public affairs program addressing issues related to families and consumers. It is hosted by Jeff Wichman. Each episode shares the expertise of K-State specialists in fields such as child nutrition, food safety, adult development and aging, youth development, family resource management, physical fitness and more.

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K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan.