Ashtabula County Medical Center | ACMC Pulse | Summer 2018

LESS THAN 120 LESS THAN 80 AND 130-139 80-89 OR Systolic mm Hg Diastolic mm Hg Sources: American Heart Association; National Institutes of Health Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of blood vessels. High blood pressure, or hypertension, can cause your heart to work too hard. This raises your risk for serious health problems, including heart attack and stroke. BLOOD PRESSURE by the NUMBERS Normal Elevated Stage 1 hypertension Medical care needed right away KNOW YOUR NUMBERS Talk with your doctor about your blood pressure. Ask how often you should have it checked . Measured in mm Hg (millimeters of mercury) HIGHER THAN 180 HIGHER THAN 120 AND/OR 120-129 80 AND LESS THAN NEED A DOCTOR? Visit acmchealth.org and click “Find a Provider” or call 440-997-6969 . ASHTABULA COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER (ACMC) Pediatrician Sathish Adigopula, MD, advises younger children to get at least 9 to 11 hours of sleep. Teenagers can get by with 8 to 10 hours a night. ACMC Sleep Specialist Jonathan Oliver, MD, says going to bed or waking up 20 to 30 minutes earlier this week and next week may be difficult for the child, but the dividends will pay off once school starts. For children who have trouble falling asleep, he suggests parents help them develop a bedtime routine. “The biggest factor for children (and adults) today affecting sleep is the phone, tablet or portable computer we take to bed,” says Dr. Oliver. “We can think we are winding down by climbing into bed to read or chat with friends or play games, but in reality we are Wellness just prolonging the time our brain is engaged and active.” To increase the likelihood of falling asleep quickly, he suggests the following: + + Go to bed at the same time each night, and wake up at the same time each morning. + + Create a good sleep environment. Ditch distractions, such as TV, computers or anything that emits a bright light. + + Relax before beginning your bedtime routine. Take a warm bath or sit and talk quietly with family in a room with only a table lamp on—these are all signals to your brain that it should start winding down. + + Avoid naps late in the day. + + Avoid caffeine. + + Avoid eating late meals. + + Avoid exercising late in the evening. 180 140 130 120 120 90 80 70 Stage 2 hypertension OR 140 HIGHER OR 90 HIGHER OR SCHEDULE A CHECKUP ACMC pediatricians see patients at ACMC, Conneaut Family Health Center and Geneva Family Health Center. Schedule an appointment at any location by calling 440-997-6969 . For a complete list of pediatricians and pediatric services, visit acmchealth.org . What is a proper bedtime? ACMC Pulse  • acmchealth.org 13