Sixty-four-year-old Larry Haney of East St. Louis wants to keep a watchful eye on the numbers that affect his health and learn better ways of improving it. He joined about 20 others recently at a Success And Continuing Knowledge (S.A.C.K.) Lunch and Learn Program at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Learning Resource Center.
Margie Nahass, registered nurse, physician assistant, and health educator and advocate for the Christian Activity Center in East St. Louis, presented “High Blood Pressure: The Silent Killer.” Her emphasis was on the increased prevalence of high blood pressure in African Americans.
The College of Arts and Sciences’ (CAS) Targeted Funding Initiative (TFI) is supporting the Lunch and Learn program at the ESLC. CAS Dean Greg Budzban, PhD, first created TFI grants in 2016. The program offers a way to continuously innovate and find novel ways of doing things. It utilizes funding acquired through the College’s Winter Session courses and is supplemented with other internal CAS funds.
“According to the American Heart Association, African Americans have the highest incidence of high blood pressure in the world, and it tends to develop at an earlier age, and be more severe than in other racial and ethnic groups in the United States,” said Nahass. “Genetics, obesity and a diet high in sodium contribute to these alarming statistics among African Americans.”
“High blood pressure typically is not symptomatic and goes undetected unless it is measured,” she added. “If it persists untreated, we know it can silently damage vital organs. “The good news is that there are things you can do to lower your blood pressure!”
Some of the steps that Nahass outlined include:
- Know your blood pressure numbers. Check it regularly and record it.
- See a healthcare professional at least yearly for follow up and take medications as prescribed.
- Get moving! Your heart is a muscular organ, and you have to exercise it with cardio workouts.
- A drop in weight of 6-10 percent can significantly decrease risk factors associated with obesity.
- Eat a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, lean protein and healthy grains.
- Avoid processed foods (high in sodium!) and fatty foods.
- Stop smoking.
- Reduce stress.
“I spent years seeing people on the sick side of healthcare,” said Nahass. “I want to help people make good, healthy choices, learn how their bodies function and prevent disease at this point in my career.”
Benny Lewis, childcare assistant at the SIUE East St. Louis Discovery Center for Little Scholars (DCLS) Head Start Center, came to the Lunch and Learn for dietary and blood pressure information.
“I need to lose weight,” said Lewis. “I already walk more than two miles a day.” Lewis’s blood pressure was 137/88.
Jatona Skinner, DCLS childcare assistant, was also interested in getting a better handle on dietary information for the purposes of shedding pounds. “The parts on portion and sodium control were most helpful to me,” said Skinner.
She also took the opportunity to have her blood pressure checked because of her family history. Her numbers were 130/90.
“Don’t be passive about your blood pressure,” Nahass said. “Untreated high blood pressure can lead to kidney failure, heart failure, blindness, stroke or heart attack. Check your blood pressure often and follow up with a healthcare provider.”
“The S.A.C.K. Lunch and Learn program has been a great way for the SIUE East St. Louis Center to open up its doors to the community and provide educational workshops on the issues local residents care about,” said ESLC Executive Director Jesse Dixon. “We are grateful to Dean Budzban and the Department of Social Work for their partnership on this initiative.”
The next S.A.C.K. Lunch and Learn program is “Don’t Sugar Coat It!” Nahass will talk about the prevention and management of diabetes from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, March 29 in the Learning Resource Center at the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus. Glucose testing will be available.
The S.A.C.K Lunch and Learn program will go through June, according to Rebecca Harper, Learning Resource Center director.
“I hope the attendees enjoy the programming and find useful tips that will leave a positive impact to help their daily lives,” said Harper, “along with an ongoing desire to learn more.”
With a focus on empowering people and strengthening communities, the SIUE East St. Louis Center is dedicated to improving the lives of families and individuals - from pre-school through adult - in the Metro East. Head Start/Early Head Start and a charter high school are among the programs that offer the community renewed hope and an opportunity to reach educational, career and life goals. The Center also assigns first priority to encouraging, supporting and improving the educational success of the residents of East St. Louis and surrounding urban communities. The Center provides comprehensive programs, services and training in the areas of education, health, social services and the arts.
Photos courtesy of Angela Gerber:
Margie Nahass, registered nurse, physician’s assistant and health educator, shares important information about blood pressure and nutrition.
Nahass points out the importance of reading nutrition labels.