Winning Health | Gold Coast Health Plan | Issue 3 | Winter 2021

Member Services: 1-888-301-1228/TTY 1-888-310-7347 3 Get tested for chlamydia TALK with your doctor about chlamydia and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). If you are sexually active, it’s recommended that you get tested for chlamydia and other STDs at your next office visit. TEST for chlamydia with an easy urine or swab test during your routine Pap test. Most people with chlamydia have no symptoms. A test is the only way to know if you have it. Talk to your doctor about getting tested each year if you are having sex and are a woman 24 years of age or younger. If you are 25 years of age and older, you may also want to talk to your doctor about getting tested. TREAT chlamydia with antibiotics. The medication can clear up the infection within one to two weeks. The earlier it is treated, the less likely it is to cause health problems like: ❱ Infer tility. ❱ Contracting HIV. ❱ Bir th defects. Make an appointment today if you have not been tested and are sexually active. High blood pressure: Must-know facts There’s a good reason most health care provider visits start with a blood pressure check. Nearly half of all American adults have high blood pressure, also called hypertension. Only about one in four adults have controlled hypertension. It is important to learn about high blood pressure and healthy habits to help prevent it. 1. Untreated high blood pressure is dangerous. It increases your risk for heart attack, stroke, kidney disease and vision loss. 2. Normal blood pressure is below 120/80. High blood pressure begins at anything above 130/80. 3. Family history and race are risk factors. If your parents or a close blood-relative had high blood pressure, you’re more likely to get it. High blood pressure is more common in non-Hispanic black adults than in any other race. 4. Your lifestyle choices matter. Healthy habits can help prevent high blood pressure and can bring it down when it’s high. Healthy lifestyle habits include: ● Following a healthy eating plan and limiting salty foods. ● Regular physical activity and exercise. ● Maintaining a healthy body weight. ● Quitting smoking. ● Reducing stress. 5. Talk to your doctor. If you think you may have high blood pressure, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. For more information, contact Gold Coast Health Plan’s (GCHP) Member Services Department at 1-888-301-1228 . If you use a TTY, call 1-800-310-7347 . The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging has classes about healthy eating. For more information visit vcaaa.org or call 1-805-477‑7339 . To learn more about staying healthy and active, visit healthyventuracounty.org . Sources: American Heart Association; National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) How to quit smoking or vaping You can quit smoking or vaping and live a healthy life. There are many services available to help you quit. Take the first steps and call the California Smokers Helpline at 1-800-NO‑BUTTS ( 1-800-662-8887 ) or visit nobutts.org . You can also talk to your doctor about what method may be right for you.