June 25, 2007

BLOOD PRESSURE NUMBERS Here is a simple explanation of what the numbers mean when you have you blood pressure taken. Systolic (the higher number) is the pressure placed on your arteries while your heart is contracting and pumping blood, while DIASTOLIC (the lower number) represents your arterial pressure between beats, says Daniel Jones, M.D., at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. The old number of 120/80 is now considered "a little high" but check with your doctor IF you have any questions about YOUR numbers. Have your pressure checked at least twice a year and more often if you have a family history or any reason to believe you may have a problem.

DID YOU KNOW that you can cut diabetes and heart disease risk fifty percent with exercise? Even if you are 55 or older, by walking 30 to 45 minutes three days a week you can better your chances of not getting the diseases according to a 10-year study at the University of Western Ontario, London. (Prevention)

MAKE THE EASY PART HARD There are two parts to every exercise: lifting the weight and lowering it. It's sensible to assume that most muscle building comes from lifting because it seems more difficult, but studies find that the lowering, or negative, phase may actually be more important. Concentrate on slower, better-controlled negative movements. Spend 2 seconds lifting and 4 seconds lowering. (Men's Health)

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