Blood Pressure & Blood Glucose Screenings

Blood Pressure Screenings

Blood pressure affects your heart health. High blood pressure (hypertension) can lead to serious health problems if not controlled. The Highland County Health Department offers FREE blood pressure screenings to help you stay healthy.

  • Blood pressure is measured using two numbers:

    • Systolic Pressure (First Number): The pressure in your arteries when your heart beats.

    • Diastolic Pressure (Second Number): The pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats.

    What’s a Normal Blood Pressure?

    • Normal: Below 120/80 mmHg

    • Elevated:120-129 / Below 80 mmHg

    • High Blood Pressure (Hypertension):130/80 mmHg or higher

    For more information, visit: American Heart Association – Blood Pressure Readings

  • High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer” because it usually has no noticeable symptoms. However, severe cases may present:

    ⚠️ Headaches

    ⚠️ Dizziness

    ⚠️ Blurred vision

    ⚠️ Chest pain

    ⚠️ Shortness of breath

    **If you experience these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

  • High blood pressure can increase the risk of:

    • Heart disease

    • Stroke

    • Kidney disease

    • Vision problems

    • Memory issues

  • ✅ Healthy Diet: Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while reducing salt and processed foods.

    ✅ Regular Exercise: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate activity most days of the week.

    ✅ Maintain a Healthy Weight: Extra weight puts additional strain on the heart.

    ✅ Limit Alcohol & Caffeine: Excess consumption can raise blood pressure.

    ✅ Manage Stress: Practice relaxation techniques like meditation and deep breathing.

    ✅ Quit Smoking: Tobacco use increases blood pressure and heart disease risk.

  • Webpages

    Forms and Fact Sheets

Blood Glucose Screenings

Diabetes is a condition where the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or use it properly, leading to high blood sugar levels. This can cause serious complications like heart disease, kidney failure, and vision loss. Blood glucose screening is a simple test to detect diabetes, prediabetes, and monitor blood sugar levels.

    • Type 1 Diabetes – An autoimmune condition where the body stops producing insulin. Requires daily insulin treatment.

    • Type 2 Diabetes – The most common form, where the body doesn’t use insulin properly. Can often be managed with lifestyle changes.

    • Gestational Diabetes – Develops during pregnancy and increases the risk of type 2 diabetes later in life.

  • ⚠️ Excessive thirst and frequent urination
    ⚠️ Unexplained weight loss
    ⚠️ Fatigue and blurred vision
    ⚠️ Slow-healing wounds and frequent infections

  • ✅ Maintain a healthy weight.
    ✅ Eat a balanced diet with whole foods and minimal sugar.
    ✅ Stay physically active.
    ✅ Get regular blood sugar screenings

  • Fasting Blood Sugar Test

    This measures your blood sugar after an overnight fast (not eating).

    • Normal: 99 mg/dL or below

    • Prediabetes: 100–125 mg/dL

    • Diabetes: 126 mg/dL or above

    Random Blood Sugar Test

    This measures your blood sugar at the time you're tested. You can take this test at any time and don't need to fast (not eat) first.

    • Normal: n/a

    • Prediabetes: n/a

    • Diabetes: 200 mg/dL or above

    A1C Test

    This test measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months and is given as a percentage.

    • Normal: Below 5.7%

    • Prediabetes: 5.7% - 6.4%

    • Diabetes: 6.5% or higher

    • Detects diabetes and prediabetes early.

    • Helps prevent complications by monitoring blood sugar levels.

    • Identifies individuals at risk so they can take preventive action.

    • Individuals with a family history of diabetes.

    • Those experiencing symptoms like excessive thirst, frequent urination, or fatigue.

    • Adults over 45 years old.

    • Anyone with risk factors such as obesity or high blood pressure.