Tallahassee Democrat from Tallahassee, Florida • Page 35

Tallahassee Democrat Monday, June 1, 1998 3D IS BlUEF LOCAL heart failure, the agency warned its paramedics and technicians. to a serious heart problem in adolescence. Two studies reported in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association found that teen-age boys who are obese and have high blood pressure have an increased risk of left ventricular hypertrophy, a condition in which the heart wall thickens. The condition can be treated by maintaining blood pressure at normal levels, either through weight reduction and exercise, or with antihypertensive drugs. Adolescents with severe high blood pressure should undergo routine ultrasound examinations to detect the first signs of thickening, said Dr.

Stephen Daniels of Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati. "Since our study shows that severe left ventricular hypertrophy is relatively prevalent in young patients with high blood pressure, measurement of high blood pressure should happen more often in the pediatrician's office," Daniels said. way to avoid being struck by is to simply put off outdoor activity: the latest weather forecast. out for darkening skies, flashes of increasing hear thunder, you are close enough struck by lightning; seek shelter A A Aa II ft 1 Find shelter in a building or car (not a convertible) keep windows closed. Avoid trees, telephone poles and metal objects such as golf clubs, golf carts, fences and bicycles; remove metal golf shoes.

Get off the golf course; if stranded, get away from water and find an open, low-lying place. a If boating or swimming, get to dry land and find shelter immediately. 3 1 I If trapped in the woods, take cover under the shorter trees. I If caught outdoors, squat low to the ground and place your hands on your knees with your head between them. Do not lie flat this will make you a bigger target.

mm lljj ISM The surest lightning Check Look light, or If you to be immediately. 4 i i Under a statewide emergency protocol in many states, EMS personnel have had a standing order to give nitroglycerine to patients with chest pain or heart failure, unless blood pressure is already If a patient says he has used Viagra within the previous 12 hours, nytroglycerine should not be used, according to Boston EMS officials. Instead, a patient should be given morphine to alleviate pain and oxygen to protect the heart. Emergency medical service officials are worried, however, that Viagra patients may be reluctant to admit they are taking the impotence drug. WORK Reduce the daily pain of the work world Whether it's a stiff neck, bad back or headaches that would make Godzilla dizzy, the modern office can make workers feel like they've just finished running a marathon.

According to Men's Health magazine, there are some tips and techniques that can help reduce the daily pain of the modern work world: Hold your chin back. To help reduce the weight of your head pulling on your spine all day, adjust the back of your chair so it supports your spine, and scoot your bottom as far back as you can. Keep essentials close. Keep your keyboard, mouse and other important items within a comfortable reach, while keeping your elbows at a relaxed 90-de-gree angle. Don't type while on the phone.

Pinching the phone between your head and shoulder can cut blood flow to the arm and brain. Hold the phone with one hand and take notes with the other. Better yet, use a headset Lower your screen. Place your computer monitor on the desktop, not on top of the computer's central unit so your neck will be bent only slightly downward. Follow the 20-20-20 rule.

Don't stare at a computer for more than 20 minutes. Try looking at something else that is at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds to give your eyes a break. Get computer friendly glasses. Most eyeglasses aren't designed for computers. Get prescription lenses that are specially made for computer work.

CHILDREN'S HEALTH Researchers recommend blood-pressure checks Children older than 3 should orobablv have their blood pres sure checked annually because of growing concern that high blood pressure in youngsters could lead Be on the lookout for Bloodmobile The Southeastern Community Bloodmobile will make the following stops this week: TODAY: 8 a.m.-noon, Department of Environmental Protection, 3900 Commonwealth p.m., Florida Power Light, 1295 E. Rock Branch Road, Monticello. TUESDAY: 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Department of Corrections Parole Commission, 2601 Blair Stone Road; 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., downtown Tallahassee, 215 S. Monroe St WEDNESDAY: 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., FSU Union Green; p.m., Dixie Packers, State Road 53, Madison. THURSDAY: am, Department of Insurance (Larson Building), 200 E.

Gaines 8 a.m.-noon Calhoun Correctional Institution, County Road 69 Blountstown; 10 a.m.-noon, Drew Oil 980 First Ave. N.E., Cairo, 2-6 p.m., Grady EMC, Bain-bridge Highway, Cairo; 2-5 p.m., Department of Transportation, 657 Plantation Road, Perry. FRIDAY: 8 a.m.-noon, Municipal Code 1700 Capital Circle S.W. SATURDAY: 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Brooks County Hospital, 903 N. Court Quitman, 9 am-1 p.m., Tallahassee National Guard, 1225 Easterwood Drive; 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Quincy Army National Guard, Lake Talquin Road, Quincy.

SUNDAY: 8-11 am, Army Reserves-160th MPs, 222 Ausley Road; 11:30 a.m.-l:30 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church, 2919 Miccosu-kee Road. Public can sign up for CPR-first aid class A CPR-first aid course is being offered from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Tallahassee Community College. The 9-hour class is designed to help people feel more confident in their ability to act appropriately in an emergency. The fee is $20.

Call 922-8168. MEN'S HEALTH Emergency workers warned about Viagra Boston emergency medical personnel last week began asking men with chest pain if they're taking the popular new impotence drug Viagra. The reason is that Viagra patients must never be given the standard heart drug nitroglycerine if they have chest pain that may signal a heart attack, Boston EMS officials warned. The combination of Viagra and nitroglycerine can cause dangerously low blood pressure that could be deadly in a patient suffering a heart attack or severe FITNESS Walking is cheap, accessible and beneficial It's a nonimpact nonjarring exercise that may be the most convenient way to get yourself into shape. It doesn require practice or experience.

And you can do it indoors on a treadmill or under the skies, either as a social outlet with others or as a relaxing time alone. It's walking the No. 1 choice for fitness among Ameri cans, with an estimated 70 mil lion people doing it as part of their daily exercise routine. Walking also is the easiest, sarest and cheapest way to stay fit The only equipment one needs is a good pair of comfortable snoes. The short-term benefits of walking at least 30 minutes a day become apparent in just a few weeks: improved motor skills, better muscle tone in the shins, calves and thighs, and increased vitality.

But the long-term benefits are even more significant A regular walking program can help a per son ward off creeping obesity and reduce the risk of coronary artery disease. The Aerobics and Fitness As sociation of America recom mends training at 55 percent to 85 percent of your maximum heart rate, which, for a healthy person, would constitute a vigorous 3- to 4-mile-an-hour walking pace that allows you to carry on a conversation in brief sentences without shortness of breath or fatigue. Democrat staff and news services i A person struck by lightning carries no electrical charge and can be handled safely. Call for help immediately. Check for bums, breathing and pulse.

Give first aid, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and CPR if needed; contact your local Red Cross to learn these rescue techniques. KRTPAUL TRAP.