Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Screening
The Wellness Center provides blood pressure screening to all who walk in. Visitors receive a record of their results, as well as a blood pressure tracking card to keep track of their numbers on a regular basis. Wellness Center staff can also offer information on free and low-cost clinical resources in the neighborhood and within the New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center community.
High blood pressure can lead to heart attack and stroke, so it's important to know your numbers and keep them under control.
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is known as the “silent killer” because there are often no visible signs or symptoms.
The Wellness Center also provides complimentary cholesterol screenings. Visitors are given a record of their results, as well as information on ways they can improve their health. Wellness Center staff can offer information on free and low-cost clinical resources in the neighborhood.
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a necessary substance found in the body, however, too much cholesterol can pose a health risk. Cholesterol circulates in the blood, and as blood cholesterol levels rise, so does the risk to your health. High cholesterol can lead to thickening of the artery walls, coronary heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and other health ailments. Individuals can improve their numbers by getting tested and tracking their progress over time.
It’s important to have cholesterol levels tested regularly.
Cholesterol testing is an important preventative measure that requires a simple and easily accessible procedure. The process consists of obtaining a small sample size of blood from a fingerstick and then running it through a diagnostic machine.