Rhode Island Partnership for Family Connections

Caregiver’s Corner

“Our Children Need us to be Healthy”

As caregivers of small children and most of us are in our later years, we must take care of ourselves.

One tip is “The Lowdown on High Blood Pressure” from an article by Arthur Agatston, MD.

Discover Dr. Agatston’s 6 best habits for a healthy heart.If you haven’t had your pressure checked recently, make an appointment with your doctor. If it’s in the prehypertensive range, ask him to evaluate it in light of your other risk factors.
Besides exercising more, not smoking and moderating alcohol consumption, here are five key ways to control it:

1. Limit salt to 1,000 mg daily.  According to Harvard Medical School authorities, 75 percent of the sodium in our diet comes from prepared foods such as soups, cereals, cheese and deli meats. Be wary of these.

2. Get 4.7 g of potassium daily.  Only 10 oercent of men and 1 percent of women get adequate amounts of this mineral, which helps kidneys excrete sodium. Eat more tomatoes, oranges, baked potatoes (with skin), and bananas.

3. Get 1,200 mg of calcium daily.  This mineral also keeps blood pressure low. Low- or nonfat yogurt and milk, salmon and broccoli are good sources.

4. Eat more whole grains.  In two studies (more than 60,000 participants tracked for 10 to 18 years), people who ate whole grain foods instead of refined carbohydrates significantly lowered their hypertension risk.

5. Consume no more than 6 teaspoons (100 calories) of sugar daily.  New research is finding that added sugars can raise blood pressure and triglycerides, in addition to obesity risk. Most people get triple that amount, and the major culprit is soft drinks (eight teaspoons in a 12-ounce soda).

6.  Feel more in control? Great—you’ve lowered your blood pressure already.  Make sure to track blood pressure over time. Certain medications, including common over-the-counter cold remedies, can temporarily elevate your readings.

Arthur Agatston, M.D., an associate professor of medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, is the author of The South Beach Diet Supercharged: Faster Weight Loss and Better Health for Life. He maintains a cardiology practice and research foundation in Miami Beach, Fla.

Catch us next month when our topic will be “Menopause”

Precious Granddaughter

I have been a member of the Grand divas for the past four years.  I had retired from teaching, and was looking forward to enjoying my retirement years.  My grand-daughter came into my life with joys and challenges.  I raised her for five years, giving her my love and support.  Yet, I must admit, during this time there were days when I felt very isolated and exhausted.
The Grand Divas Group became a lifesaver to me.  It gave me support, camaraderie, information and physical exercise.  I realized that so many people were in my situation.  I have learned so much while trying to help others.  The Grand Divas have become my family.  My precious granddaughter is now home with her parents and I am grandma!

Diane (62)

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