#1 Don't Ignore High Blood Pressure - Do You Know Yours?

#2 Anti-Oxidants, An Update

#3 Baby Teeth -Pacifiers and Thumb Sucking

#4 Tablet Splitting

#5Grape Juice and Cholesterol

High Blood Pressure And You

Did you know that nearly two thirds, yes 66% of Americans under sixty have or are on verge of high blood pressure and  at least 1/3 do not know it. Having this "silent killer" not only increases there risk of heart disease or stroke but puts them in a higher risk category for hospitalization and death according to a recent study.

There are new guidelines for high blood pressure that have been agreed upon over last several years and you need to know about them. First new guidelines are that normal blood pressure is when systolic ( top number) is 119 or lower and bottom number is 79 or less. In recent past we felt that abnormal blood pressure was anything that was 140 or above over 90 or above. Now, people who have this are definitely hypertensive or have high blood pressure.

When reading is 120 - 139 for systolic and / or 80 - 89 for diastolic we are to be considered "pre- hypertension. Each of needs to know what our blood pressure reading is, so don't be shy, ask your doctor.

Also, it makes good sense that if your blood pressure is not normal get a blood pressure cuff in drug store and have your spouse, partner or children take it periodically and jot down numbers for your doctor. There is such a diagnosis of "white coat" syndrome" where blood pressure rises when you go to doctors office.

Dr Bob's Take: It is so important to know what your blood pressure is and if it is pre-hypertensive or in category of high blood pressure (hypertensive) get it treated and you can make a dramatic difference in your life.

Anti-Oxidant Update

Last month we talked about Vitamin E and potential for increasing risk for heart disease. Initially when first studies came out about 10-15 years ago it was felt that Vitamin E was going to be a panacea for "preventing" heart disease.

Well, there are more studies that are being released which is showing that herbal remedies that are being touted as anti-oxidants are not proving very effective in preventing diseases like cancer. These are substances like beta carotene, vitamin C,  and selenium. The researchers in France have been looking at this and have concluded that there may be a small benefit for men (none for women) but that benefits can easily be derived by eating a balanced diet. This study was recently reported in November issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

Dr Bob's Take: as an American I like you are looking for "holy grail" which in US is "take a pill and cure it" is not answer here. We need to really eat right and exercise and this will lead to a healthy "us".

Pacifiers and Baby's Teeth