High blood pressure affects almost half of all U.S. adults and is the leading cause of death globally.

New blood pressure guidelines call for early treatment, including lifestyle changes, to decrease the risk of dementia as well as improved management before, during and after pregnancy.

High blood pressure is the #1 preventable risk factor for dementia, cardiovascular disease (heart attack, stroke, heart failure) and kidney disease.

High blood pressure can damage the small blood vessels of our brain, leading to memory problems, cognitive decline and dementia. Therefore, early treatment is recommended.

There’s a new risk calculator that allows us to assess the risk of an individual having a cardiovascular event in 10 to 30 years, taking into account an individual’s age, sex, blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking history, kidney function, race and zip code (the latter is an addition from our previous risk calculator from 2013). Results can help guide personalized treatment plans.

It is now recommended that people with high blood pressure have an annual urine protein test (urine albumin and creatinine ratio), assessing for kidney disease. Previously, this was optional.

This is especially important for those who are 35 or older, have a history of diabetes, have a BMI of 30 or higher, have an autoimmune disease, have kidney disease, are pregnant with multiples, are pregnant for the first time or have a personal or family history of preeclampsia.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s National Minority Donor Awareness month, a time to raise awareness about the need for organ donors in diverse communities.

More than 104,000 people are on the national transplant waiting list, and 60% of them are from minority communities.

In Indiana, hundreds of Black, Hispanic, and Asian residents are waiting for a match.

Many of these communities are more likely to develop conditions that can lead to organ failure.

In Indiana, 335 Black people need an organ transplant as well as 107 Hispanic and 66 Asian people. While race isn’t a factor in matching donors and recipients, sharing a similar genetic background can sometimes improve long-term outcomes.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A promising new therapy is helping stroke survivors regain lost motor skills by using a micro-transponder to stimulate the brain.

Up to one million people suffer a stroke each year, a number experts say could soar to 200 million by 2050. This innovative approach offers hope to those affected by stroke-related disabilities.

The therapy involves implanting a micro-transponder traditionally used for epilepsy patients into stroke survivors. This device stimulates the Vagus nerve, which carries signals to the brain to rewire parts associated with motor functions. During therapy sessions, when a patient performs an exercise correctly, it signals the brain to remember that movement, aiding in the recovery of motor skills.

The damage from a stroke can cause patients to lose their ability to perform everyday tasks such as picking up a cup, using their phone, or playing with their grandchildren.

While rehabilitation helps, this new approach is giving stroke survivors more mobility in their arms and hands.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Back-to-school season is here, and while parents are busy grabbing supplies and organizing routines, health experts say it’s also the perfect time to focus on sleep and nutrition.

Amanda Pantone, a registered dietitian with Community Health Network, joined News 8 Daybreak to share ways families can set their kids up for success both in the classroom and at home.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mike Hamm is a 87-year-old veteran with dementia.

He stayed indoors in the cool air conditioning while outside temperature ticked to 91 degrees on Thursday.

He and his wife, Sharon, have been married for 59 years. They’re helping each other, so they don’t overheat.

Mike usually sits in his La-Z-Boy and uses a walker to get around. There’s a small license plate on his walker that reads “Too cool 4 u.”

About the weather, he said, “It’s been like this for a long time in the 90s and it’s supposed to get to the 100s pretty soon, and I don’t think I’ll go out much.”

Mike didn’t seem to notice the increase in temperature outside but appreciated helping hands, including his wife. “My wife, too, she makes me drink a lot of ice water.”

The veteran spends most of his days inside watching TV and reading the newspaper.

Sharon said, “He rarely goes out, but he insists on doing that one thing — go out and get the mail — because he wants to do everything he’s used to.”

Sharon goes out of their home more often, and she said the heat makes it hard. “It’s harder to breathe. I do know the older one gets, your body starts conking in different types of places. Besides the breathing, you get tired of walking.”

Dr. Chris Ross, an emergency room physician from Community Health Network, said Thursday that older people are prone to heat stress because their bodies have a harder time adjusting to sudden temperatures.

Ross said heat exhaustion can be fatal if not treated promptly. He said, “If you’re confused, vomiting, sweating profusely and then not sweating anymore, those are the reasons to look for help.”

Ross had this advice for caretakers: “Take special care to make sure that the people you’re caring for have plenty of water access, to bathrooms. If they have issues like dementia and begin to wander, to make sure the doors are locked so they don’t get outside and get stuck outside because that’s when they could really get into trouble.”

Mike and Sharon have help, Senior Helpers, a home care service that helps them manage their well-being in the heat. Marta Guinn, director of operations, said, “Any clients with dementia, their short-term memory is gone, so we just suggest — we don’t ever make a client do anything — we just suggest the same thing over and over again. ‘Mr. Hamm, would you like some water?’ ‘Mr. Hamm, we haven’t had a drink. How about I’m going to get a drink from my water, would you like to take a drink out of yours?’ Lots of reminding.”

Guinn added that as people get older, their bodies don’t self-regulate as well as in the past, and some people may not realized they’re overheating.

Senior Helpers also recommends checking in with older parents, grandparents, neighbors or friends to make sure they have what they need during the heat wave.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Indiana Health Fair is back as part of the Indiana Black Expo’s Summer Celebration, offering free health screenings, fitness activities, and vital resources for families across the state.

State Health Commissioner Dr. Lindsay Weaver says the goal is to break down barriers, especially for communities of color, by creating a welcoming space to talk about wellness.

“It’s way less intimidating than going to a doctor’s office,” Weaver said. “We have a lot of fun things there, there’s music, there’s people dancing. You can learn about your health and, at the same time, start those initial checkups.”

The health fair runs Thursday through Sunday at the Indiana Convention Center. It’s open to all ages, with services ranging from blood pressure checks and cholesterol screenings to diabetes testing and high school physicals.

“There’s actually $4,000 worth of free screenings there,” Weaver said. “They’re doing high school physicals for those kiddos who are getting ready to go back to school and they need their physical.”

Beyond the screenings, the fair offers one-on-one help with navigating insurance, obtaining vital records, and connecting to long-term care.

“If they are identified as having a need at the fair, then of course we’re going to help to get them connected,” Weaver said. “You can get your birth certificate if you need to get your birth certificate. There’s really a lot of different volunteers and sponsors that are there to meet people wherever they’re at.”

Friday night is Ladies’ Night, with a spotlight on women’s health and a healthy dose of fun.

“People can come and learn about specifically women’s health care needs,” Weaver said. “But at the same time, during Ladies’ Night, they’re doing Zumba dancing, right? So, we have a mix of fun, and at the same time, checking up on your health and educating you about your health.”

Weaver encourages anyone who might be hesitant to attend to bring a friend or family member.

“If you are somebody who knows, has a family member, a friend, a neighbor, who you know is hesitant, ask them to come with you,” she said. “It is always better to have someone with you, and you’re going to meet a lot of smiling faces.”

Weaver added, “It is way easier to prevent disease than it is to treat it. And, so we really want to focus on that prevention piece.”

The Indiana Health Fair is free to attend and continues through Sunday inside the Indiana Convention Center.

Dates and times

• Thursday: 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
• Friday: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• Saturday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
• Sunday: Noon – 6 p.m.

For more information, click here.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Learn several common health myths, and what science truly says about them: from the belief that 10,000 steps a day is necessary for health benefits to the misconception that only women can get breast cancer.

The data suggests that any movement, any getting up and moving around is gonna reduce risk in the long-term, according to a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. The study found that taking just 2,200 steps a day is associated with lower mortality and heart disease risk.

Only women get breast cancer? Nope. Men can also be affected. A study from Vanderbilt University indicates that men are 19% more likely to die from breast cancer than women, partly due to later diagnoses.

What about the belief that a glass of red wine a day is good for your heart?

That sunscreen is only necessary when it’s sunny?

That vaccines cause autism?

Listen to learn more.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Adults need a good seven to nine hours of sleep at night. But the National Sleep Foundation says one-third of people don’t get that and feel sleepy at least half the week. And things you do or don’t do during the day can have a big impact on sleep quality.

Fighting fatigue day after day is a struggle for many people. The main cause is usually poor sleep.

The number one suggestion is to maintain a routine and a schedule.

Eating meals at different times each day or too late at night can affect sleep. So can going to bed and waking up at inconsistent times.

A lack of daily physical activity causes low energy and increases daytime drowsiness. And don’t forget vitamin D. Not getting enough sunshine and natural light throughout the day can impact circadian rhythms. Other bad habits to avoid include drinking alcohol or caffeine before bed, using electronics when it’s time to sleep, and not drinking enough water. And that is true for all of us.

According to Cleveland Clinic, frequent fatigue could also be caused by an underlying medical condition or sleep disorder. This could include sleep apnea, certain cancers, heart disease, vitamin deficiencies, and hormonal changes.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.