Posted by admin on Mar 16, 2011 in
Chinese Medicine Rethinking ‘Normal’ Blood Pressure
By TARA PARKER-POPE
Millions of people who have been told they are on the path to hypertension may never develop life-threatening problems, according to new research that suggests it’s time to redefine “normal” blood pressure. The findings, from researchers at the Veterans Affairs Health Care System in Minneapolis and the University of Minnesota, suggest that as many as 100 million Americans who have been told they have a condition called prehypertension may face no added mortality risk and therefore could reasonably be considered to have normal blood pressure.
The authors reviewed two decades of blood pressure data that tracked 13,792 people from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which enrolled participants from 1971 to 1976. The researchers also reviewed similar data for 6,682 adults from a similar survey carried out between 1959 and 1962.
Current guidelines label people with blood pressure above 120/80 millimeters of mercury as having prehypertension and at higher risk for serious health problems like heart attack and stroke than people with lower blood pressure. But the data review found that people in that category are not any more likely to die prematurely than those with lower blood pressures, according to the study, published in The Journal of General Internal Medicine.
“If we can’t identify an increased risk, is that where abnormal should be set?’’ said Brent Taylor, core investigator for the V.A. in Minneapolis and assistant professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota. “It should at least start a conversation about why normal is set where it is. If we make small changes to where we set normal blood pressure, it has huge implications in the numbers of people we identify as being at risk.’’
The current guidelines were determined in 2003, when the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure issued its seventh report updating recommendations. The report was the first time that the panel identified relatively low blood pressure readings as an indicator of future disease. As a result of the findings, tens of millions of people were told they were at risk and were urged to adopt lifestyle changes to prevent blood pressure from creeping higher.
In the latest study, researchers focused on relatively older data because blood pressure treatment was not as prevalent years ago, and as a result, they could better study the health effects of changes in blood pressure as people age. Among people over 50, the most meaningful predictor of poor health was the systolic blood pressure — the first, or upper, number given in a blood pressure reading. In this older group, a systolic pressure of 140 or higher was most predictive of mortality. Among people under 50, it was the diastolic pressure, or second number, that was most predictive. In this group, a diastolic pressure of 100 or more was most predictive of poor health. In younger people, having a systolic reading of 200 or higher was also predictive of higher mortality.
Dr. Taylor said it’s important that the guidelines home in on the people who can most benefit from treatment. He also noted that blood pressure guidelines can end up hurting people if they wrongly label someone as being at risk.
“Maybe those people should be focusing on conditions other than their borderline blood pressure,” Dr. Taylor said. “If we intervene with these people who don’t have a lot of risk, maybe we’re going to cause more harm than benefit.”
Dr. Aram V. Chobanian, president emeritus of Boston University, who was chairman of the 2003 guidelines panel, said those recommendations were based on studies showing that the risk of heart disease starts to rise at readings as low as 115/75.
Dr. Chobanian said he had not read the latest study, which looked at mortality risk rather than heart disease risk, but noted that other doctors have raised concerns about a designation of prehypertension for people with blood pressure of 120/80.
“Some physicians feel it’s an overemphasis, and I understand that,” he said. “If you identify individuals who are candidates for prevention of hypertension, that to me is the greatest point of it, to pick out people whom you want to make — or try to make them — change their lifestyle.”
Dr. Taylor noted that a single study is not likely to change the guidelines, but he hopes the research will be included in the discussion of blood pressure guidelines. The eighth Joint National Committee panel is currently reviewing the guidelines and is expected to make draft recommendations later this year.
Available here
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/09/rethinking-normal-blood-pressure/?sudsredirect=true
Posted by admin on Mar 11, 2011 in
Chinese Medicine Had a great time at the CEU seminar a few weeks ago. Met a lot of great acupuncturists and massage therapists at Traditional Healing Acupuncture Center in Weaverville and helped spread the word about OMHC in Waynesville, NC.
Look for updates on upcoming seminars as we are planning five over the next 10 – 12 months on topics ranging from external herbal poltices and san jiao energetics to applying Qi Gong and Tai Chi to healing treatments!
Thanks to all the participants who made the last CEU Seminar a success.
Nate
Posted by admin on Nov 3, 2010 in
Book an Appointment,
Chinese Medicine OMHC has upgraded its online booking software in an effort to better serve you!
Patients can now book up to one year in advance with my online scheduling software. This program will send you a confirmation email and 24 hrs before your scheduled treatment it will send you a reminder email.
If you would like to make an appointment just click the book now button to the right.
Tags: Acupuncture, appointments, online, Waynesville
Posted by admin on Oct 21, 2010 in
Chinese Medicine Fall is here and the colder weather is just around the corner. Are you prepared? Do you suffer from arthritis, frequent respiratory infections [colds/flus] or allergies? If so, you should know that acupuncture & herbal medicine can ease your transition into the winter so you can stay healthy and happy.
Realize that the cold, damp weather that is on its way will exacerbate symptoms of many common illnesses. There are many things you can do to prevent this.
1. Always bundle up [wear layers so you can adjust to the temperature either indoors or out]
2. Wear socks. Especially if you have hardwood floors, the constant cold floor on your bare feet is bad for conditions that involve cold.
3. Eat & Drink warm foods. Avoid salads and raw, cold food and stick with soups, stews, and chilis. Try using garlic, ginger, nutmeg, clove, or cinnamon in your next meal as these spices are warming and good for the cold damp weather.
4. Skip the ice. When its cold out you really don’t need ice in your drinks. Your stomach will thank you.
5. Take care or yourself. Whether it be walking, yoga, pilates, tai chi, or acupuncture treatments. Do things that promote wellness and you will have a great winter without illness.
Posted by admin on Aug 6, 2010 in
Chinese Medicine Starting now each month’s newsletter will be posted as a blog so that they are easily accessible even if you are not yet on the mailing list. Here’s all the ones so far and remember to keep checking back each month for the latest and greatest.
August Newsletter
June Newsletter
May Newsletter
April_Newsletter
March Newsletter
Feb Newsletter
Posted by admin on Jun 17, 2010 in
Chinese Medicine Check out this weeks Guide in The Mountaineer for an article by Paul Viau about OMHC and what its done for him.
Click here to see it now.
Posted by admin on Jun 17, 2010 in
Chinese Medicine,
Kung Fu T-Shirts are now in stock in Red, Blue, Grey, and Black for the clinic/school. These shirts feature the logo with the slogan, “Ancient Ways to Modern Health.” Sizes Small through Extra-Large are available for $15 each.
Tags: Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, NC, Old Mountain Health Center, Pain, Waynesville, Waynesville North Carolina
Posted by admin on Jun 3, 2010 in
Chinese Medicine,
Kung Fu Old Mountain Health Center in Waynesville, NC will soon be accepting Debit & Credit Cards for all Acupuncture, Tui Na Massage, and Herbal Medicine treatments as well as for all classes including Shao Lin Kung Fu, Emperor’s Long Fist, Tai Chi, & Qi Gong. Also if you would like to purchase T-Shirts or herbs you can pay for these using debit and credit cards as well. The sytem utilizes Google’s Checkout so a Google Account is required but it only takes 3o seconds to set up and you can do it as you checkout! If you don’t like carrying cash, no worries, just bring your card. The system will be using the front desk computer which will be open to a page allowing you to both pay for your treatment and schedule your next appointment all on the same screen!
Tags: Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Credit Cards, Debit, group acupuncture, Kung Fu, NC, Old Mountain Health Center, Qi Gong, Shao Lin, Tai Chi, Tui Na Massage, Waynesville
Posted by admin on Apr 23, 2010 in
Chinese Medicine There are some changes coming to Old Mountain Health Center in an attempt to better serve my patients.
The biggest change is starting on May 1st, there will be a shortening of Group Acupuncture hours on Wednesday and Saturday to allow for more Private Acupuncture Treatments. Private Acupuncture Treatments have been the prefered method for the folks of Waynesville, NC to eliminate their pain and illness so far.
The new Group Acupuncture hours will be as follows:
Wednesdays: 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Saturdays: 10:00 am – Noon
As always Walk-Ins are welcome though it is preferred for you to have an appointment [which can be made online instantly].
There are some other changes in the works which will be sent out in the May Newsletter soon.
Nate Novgrod LAc.
Tags: Acupuncture, group acupuncture, Illness, North Carolina, Old Mountain Health Center, Pain, Waynesville
Posted by admin on Apr 15, 2010 in
Chinese Medicine Have you ever wondered what Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine are? What they do? What kinds of illness they can treat? If so, or if you are just curious check out my two hour lecture at The Creative Thought Center in Waynesville, NC on May 7th from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. For more information or directions see below.
A Science of Mind and Spirit Community [The Creative Thought Center]
449-D Pigeon St., Waynesville, NC 28786
(828)456-9697
There is a $10 suggested donation for attendance. There will be plenty of time to get all your questions answered and even get some free acupuncture!!!
Tags: Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, Lecture, NC, The Creative Thought Center, Waynesville
