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Pregnant or planning a pregnancy? It’s time to think about your blood pressure, even if you’ve never had high blood pressure. About half of pregnancy complications, such as having a preterm baby, are related to high blood pressure. Pregnancy complications also increase your risk of heart disease later in life. But many pregnancy complications can be prevented. You may begin your pregnancy with a healthy blood pressure of less than 120/80 mm Hg, but still develop a type of high blood pressure that occurs during or right after pregnancy. One complication is gestational hypertension, defined as blood pressure 140/90 mm Hg or greater. It typically occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy or close to delivery. Another condition is preeclampsia, a combination of high blood pressure that develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy with other signs your organs aren’t working well, such as high protein levels in your urine. Serious cases can lead to life-threatening seizures or coma, a condition known as eclampsia. .Here are seven ways to help keep you and your baby safe from problems related to high blood pressure.1. Talk to your healthcare provider. Even if you’re not yet pregnant, knowing if you have high blood pressure can help determine if you’re at higher risk for pregnancy-related complications. Work with your provider to make a plan for a healthy pregnancy. This includes discussing:
Read moreSummer 2022 promises to be particularly challenging as it relates to America’s home energy costs due to a confluence of three events – rising temperatures, costs and demand – resulting in homeowners facing an intensified fight to keep bills at bay. The Farmer’s Almanac predicts a “Sizzling Summer Ahead” stating this summer weather is going to be remembered as a hot one nationwide. Second, homeowners are experiencing a “rate shock” as the global energy crisis drives up prices with energy costs up 25.6% year over year, according to the Consumer Price Index. Third, there is surging demand due to our post-pandemic “hybrid home” dynamic. Studies support this trend with 83% of workers believing a hybrid model would be optimal going forward, according to an Accenture survey, and 87% of managers believing working from home is the future, according to Remote-How research. The good news is that families can offset this “Utility Bill Trifecta” by following a few simple tips. With home heating and cooling accounting for nearly half of home energy use, small steps can go a long way.* Ease Into Electric: According to Columbia University’s Earth Institute, electric systems are a solution to decarbonize home climate control. Among the most energy-efficient heating and cooling products, electricity-powered ductless mini-split systems, offered by companies including Fujitsu General America, can save as much as 25 percent on your energy bill. Mini-splits use thin copper tubing to pump refrigerant from an outdoor compressor directly into an indoor air-handling unit, where the air is quietly distributed to the interior space.* Get “Smart” About Climate Control: When it comes to smart home temperature control, there are Smart HVAC Systems and Smart Thermostats. Smart HVAC systems have built-in Wi-Fi and can be controlled directly without additional equipment. Smart Home Thermostats create “smart” systems by enabling remote temperature control via a mobile or Internet connected device or voice-operated home automation system.* Voice Your Preference: Take control of your comfort. Most HVAC manufacturers offer apps that enable systems to be controlled from anywhere using a mobile device. Voice-control capability uses digital assistants, like Amazon Alexa or Google Home, to verbally dictate home temperatures. Easily controlling the temperature more closely, allows homeowners to be more comfortable and improve energy savings.* Find Your Efficient Comfort Zone: Many of us live in homes designed for bigger families, but have yet to downsize. If you find yourself using a fraction of your home on a regular basis, consider upgrading to a zoned ducted, or ductless system. That will allow you to save energy heating and cooling spaces where you and your family don’t spend a lot of time. This will multiply savings as you’re not only needing less cooling but you also gain from a more efficient system in the spaces you do still use.* Try Lowtech Fixes: Simple changes can have a big impact. Try to use heat-producing appliances — stoves, irons and dryers — at night or early morning. Switch to LED light bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs – which consume 90% more power. Seal air leaks around windows, doors, and places where pipes and wires come through walls. Check existing caulking and weather-stripping for gaps or cracks. Curbing energy bill costs can be more than just a summer dream. If a new system is right for you, many Fujitsu systems with the Energy Star rating are more than twice as efficient as the minimum standard set by the government.
Read moreChallenges abound in the professional arena. Whether an individual is an executive with a lengthy track record of success or a newly minted graduate just starting out, the next challenge is never too far off. And for mid-career professionals, those challenges could be accompanied by uncertainty about the direction of their careers and what their next step should be.
Read moreThe Seminole County Sheriff’s office was one of multiple other law enforcement agencies that assisted in the search for a possible homicide victim along the South Canadian River on Sunday.
Read moreAll of Seminole Police Department which includes all Officers, the High Risk Warrant Team, and both School Resource Officers, recently participated in an active shooter training hosted by Prevail Shooting and Tactics at Immanuel Fellowship Church. “We are so thankful and humbled to have support from City Council and the community to do these types of trainings. This training made us even better. We saw improvement among the team’s skills and abilities,” said Police Chief Jon Withers. “Seminole Police Department is one of the most proactive departments when it comes to training. It is one of the reasons I love working with them,” said Seminole Reserve Officer Josh Beauford and owner of Prevail Shooting and Tactics. Beauford is the team lead for the High-Risk Warrant Team at Seminole Police Department. He has had 17 years experience in law enforcement being on differ ent tactical teams and working undercover.
Read moreA suspect with an Okmulgee address faces drug charges in the District Court of Seminole County after a routine traffic stop evolved into a drug bust.
Read moreApproximately 70 teachers from over 50 in-state public school districts and 20 out-of-state districts will gather at the University of Oklahoma on July 11-14 for intensive training in the implementation of the AOPA “You Can Fly” High School Aviation Curriculum. Seminole and Wewoka High School will be teaching the curriculum this upcoming school year.
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