HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE: Young People Get It, Too

High blood pressure doesn’t just happen to older adults; nearly 1 in 4 adults aged 20 to 44 have high blood pressure. This has contributed to a 40% increase in stroke rates among younger adults in recent years.

High blood pressure increases the risk for heart disease and stroke, two leading causes of death for Americans. It can damage your health in many ways and harm important organs like your heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes.

When the heart pumps blood through the arteries, the blood puts pressure on the artery walls. This is called blood pressure. Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80; high blood pressure is 130/80 or higher.

There are no symptoms, so the only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to get it checked at a doctor’s office or pharmacy. The good news is that, in most cases, you can manage your blood pressure to lower your risk for serious health problems through lifestyle changes and/or medication.

#HighBloodPressureEducationMonth

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MENTAL WELLNESS CARE: You Have Options

When emotional health interferes with your happiness, relationships, or usual activities, getting connected to mental wellness resources can help you start feeling like yourself again. As a SD-1 Health Trust member, you have many options.

Through your Health Plan (Cigna or Kaiser Permanente):

  • Talk to your doctor. Describe your symptoms and discuss any possible physical causes for your mental state.
  • In-person therapy. Meet face-to-face and have a real-time conversation in a therapist’s office.
  • Online or by phone. Conveniently meet anywhere through virtual care or telehealth services.

Want to learn more about these options available to you through your medical plan? Create an account, if you haven’t already done so, and log in to your medical plan carrier’s website (healthy.kaiserpermanente.org or my.Cigna.com).

Use the Employee Assistance Program (NOTE: RBH is now Uprise Health.)

The EAP is available to all benefits eligible employees and anyone living in their household:

  • In-person counseling. Up to 6 free sessions per situation, per year. Call 1 (866) 750-1327 to get started.
  • 24-hour crisis help. Connect with a counselor immediately. Call 1 (866) 750-1327.
  • Counseling by phone. Convenient access to licensed counselors. Call 1 (866) 750-1327 to get started.
  • Secure email. Share your concern or question, then an EAP professional will reply with relevant information. Go to members.uprisehealth.com or on the Uprise Health mobile app and use access code OEBB.
  • Self-care resources. Access videos, trainings, assessments, articles, and other resources for life balance and well-being. Go to members.uprisehealth.com or on the Uprise Health app, click on “View Member and Leadership Resources” and use access code OEBB.
  • On-demand support. Try a chatbot to boost your wellness: text "Hi" to +1 (650) 825-9634.

Additional Resources:

CHOOSING A DOCTOR: How to Find an In-Network Provider

For some Health Plans, using an in-network provider is an option that will save you money and help your care team work together efficiently. For others, you are not covered if you do not you use an in-network provider.

Here are some tips when searching for an in-network provider:

  1. Choose a doctor that’s right for you. For example, internal medicine providers typically work with adults; family practitioners see patients of all ages, OB/GYN providers specialize in women’s health, and pediatricians work with children.
  2. Think about your preferences. Consider the office location, appointment hours, gender of the provider, and languages spoken and include those that matter to you in your search criteria.
  3. Is telehealth important to you? If so, be sure to search for a provider that offers telehealth services as an option, in addition to in-office visits.

For easy access to your carrier’s website:

  • Go to sdtrust.com. Click on “current Plan Year information,” then choose your bargaining group and status.
  • Then simply click on the medical plan carrier’s website for your Health Plan.

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