Stress Less Blood Pressure Challenge

Challenge Instructions

Challenge Packet

Participant Results Form

Online Stress Less Blood Pressure Challenge Completion Form

1. Register for the challenge.
2. Download the Challenge Packet.
3. Measure your blood pressure at about the same time every day. For best results, sit comfortably with both feet on the floor for at least two minutes before taking a measurement. When you measure your blood pressure, rest your arm on a table so the blood pressure cuff is at about the same height as your heart.
4. Record your initial blood pressure results on the Participant Results Form.
5. Complete one of the stress-reduction activities in the Challenge Packet, then re-take your blood pressure and record the results on the Participant Results Form.
6. After you have tracked your blood pressure before and after completing a stress-reduction activity on at least ten separate days, complete the online Stress Less Blood Pressure Challenge Completion Form. Points will be updated in ADP by the 15th of the following month. You will be entered into the seasonal drawing based on the date you complete the challenge.

Blood Pressure Monitor Locations

Visit the Health Kiosk webpage to locate a Higi health kiosk near you.

Blood pressure monitors are currently available at the following worksite locations. If you do not have access to a blood pressure monitor, please contact Employee Wellness.

Blood Pressure Monitor Location	Contact
Abrams 3950 S. Country Club Rd. 2nd Floor Break Room	Julia Flannery 724-7989
Admin. East Building 130 W. Congress, B-Level Break room	Employee Wellness 724-2792
Admin West - Human Resources 150 W. Congress, 4th Floor	Employee Wellness 724-2792
Adult Probation 8180 E. Broadway	Yvette Coronado 724-5452
Avra Valley WRF 10000 W. Snyder Hill Rd. Operations Room	Brian Caramella 724-6454
Flowing Wells Library 1730 W. Wetmore Rd. Staff Break Room	Lorie Johnston 594-5228
Joyner-Green Valley Library 601 N. La Canada Dr.	Kathy Konecny 594-5300
Juvenile Court 2225 E. Ajo Way	Araceli Sanchez 724-4597
Kino Sports Complex 2500 E. Ajo Way	Gladys Beebe                     724-5466
Kirk-Bear Canyon Library 8959 E. Tanque Verde Rd.	Coni Weatherford 594-5275
Pima Emergency Communications & Operations Center (PECOC) 3434 E. 22nd St. Break Room	Sandra Espinoza 724-9319
Pima County Animal Care Center 4000 N Silverbell Rd.	JJ Johnson 724-2796
Public Works Building Dev. Services 201 N. Stone Ave., 1st Floor	Betty Sanchez 724-6788
Public Works Building Flood Control 201 N. Stone Ave, 9th Floor	Linda Sagarnaga 724-4672
Public Works Building Real Property 201 N. Stone Ave, 6th Floor	Lupe Fimbres 724-6633
Recorders 240 N. Stone Ave	Joleen Goddard 724-4360
RWRD - Conveyance 3355 N. Dodge Blvd	None
RWRD - Water Campus 2955 W. Calle Agua Nueva	Andrea Palmer 724-6027
RWRD - SRF 4527 W. Walker Rd.	Jackie Belasco 724-6150
Sheriff's Department 1750 E. Benson Hwy, Gym	Andrew Reidy 351-8136
School Superintendent 240 N. Stone Ave.	Jeanette Velasquez 724-8453
Tres Rios 7101 N. Casa Grande Hwy.	Mary Ann Estrada 724-6185
Valencia Library 202 W. Valencia Rd. Break Room	Jessica Redhouse 594-5392

About Blood Pressure

How to Read Blood Pressure Results

Blood pressure is typically recorded as two numbers, written as a ratio like this:

117/76 mm Hg

Read as "117 over 76 millimeters of mercury"

• Systolic:The top number, which is also the higher of the two numbers, measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats (when the heart muscle contracts).
• Diastolic: The bottom number, which is also the lower of the two numbers, measures the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats (when the heart muscle is resting between beats and refilling with blood).

What is the American Heart Association (AHA) Recommendation for Healthy Blood Pressure?

This chart reflects blood pressure categories defined by the American Heart Association.

Blood Pressure Category	Systolic mm Hg (upper #)		Diastolic mm Hg (lower #)
Low	less than 90	or	less than 60
Normal	less than 120	and	less than 80
Pre-hypertension	120 - 129	or	less than 80
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Stage 1	130 - 139	or	80 - 89
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Stage 2	140 or higher	or	90 or higher
Hypertensive Crisis (Emergency care needed)	Higher than 180	or	Higher than 120

* Your doctor should evaluate unusually low blood pressure readings.

What is High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)?

High blood pressure is a chronic condition, and the damage it causes to blood vessels and organs generally occurs over years.

However, it is possible for blood pressure to rise quickly and severely enough to be considered a hypertensive crisis. To reduce morbidity and mortality in this situation, early evaluation of organ function and blood pressure elevations at these levels is critical to determine the appropriate management.

Hypertensive crises can present as hypertensive urgency or as a hypertensive emergency.

If, while monitoring your blood pressure, you get a systolic reading of 180 mm Hg or higher OR a diastolic reading of 120 mm HG or higher, wait a couple of minutes and take it again. If the reading is still at or above that level, you should seek immediate emergency medical treatment for a hypertensive crisis. If you can't access the emergency medical services (EMS), have someone drive you to the hospital right away.
 

Hypertensive Urgency

Hypertensive urgency is  situation where the blood pressure is severely elevated [180 or higher for your systolic pressure (top number) or 120 or higher for your diastolic pressure (bottom number)], but there is no associated organ damage. Those experiencing hypertensive urgency may or may not experience one or more of these symptoms:

• Severe headache
• Shortness of breath
• Nosebleeds
• Severe anxiety

Treatment of hypertensive urgency generally requires readjustment and/or additional dosing of oral medications, but most often does not necessitate hospitalization for rapid blood pressure reduction. A blood pressure reading of 180/120 or greater requires immediate evaluation, because early evaluation of organ function and blood pressure elevations at these levels is critical to determine the appropriate management.

Hypertensive Emergency

A hypertensive emergency exists when blood pressure reaches levels that are damaging organs. Hypertensive emergencies generally occur at blood pressure levels exceeding 180 systolic OR 120 diastolic, but can occur at even lower levels in patients whose blood pressure had not been previously high.

The consequences of uncontrolled blood pressure in this range can be severe and include:

• Stroke
• Loss of consciousness
• Memory loss
• Heart attack
• Damage to the eyes and kidneys
• Loss of kidney function
• Aortic dissection
• Angina (unstable chest pain)
• Pulmonary edema (fluid backup in the lungs)
• Eclampsia

If you get a blood pressure reading of 180 or higher on top or 120 or higher on the bottom, and are having any symptoms of possible organ damage (chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness/weakness, change in vision, difficulty speaking) do not wait to see if your pressure comes down on its own. Seek emergency medical assistance immediately. Call 9-1-1. If you can't access the emergency medical services (EMS), have someone drive you to the hospital immediately.

How is High Blood Pressure Diagnosed?

Your healthcare providers will want to get an accurate picture of your blood pressure and chart what happens over time. Starting at age 20, the American Heart Association recommends a blood pressure screening at your regular healthcare visit or once every 2 years, if your blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg.

Your blood pressure rises with each heartbeat and falls when your heart relaxes between beats. While BP can change from minute to minute with changes in posture, exercise, stress or sleep, it should normally be less than 120/80 mm Hg (less than 120 systolic AND less than 80 diastolic) for an adult age 20 or over. About one in three U.S. adults has high blood pressure.

If your blood pressure reading is higher than normal, your doctor may take several readings over time and/or have you monitor your blood pressure at home before diagnosing you with high blood pressure.

A single high reading does not necessarily mean that you have high blood pressure. However, if readings stay at 130/80 mm Hg or above (systolic 130 or above OR diastolic 80 or above) over time, your doctor will likely want you to begin a treatment program. Such a program almost always includes lifestyle changes and often prescription medication for those with readings of 130/80 or higher.

American Heart Association Helpful Resources

• About High Blood Pressure (HBP)
• Why HBP Matters
• Your Risk for HBP
• Symptoms, Diagnosis & Monitoring of HBP
• Prevention & Treatment of HBP