Hoops, Hardball and Health

The NCAA basketball season has just ended, but San Diego State head coach Steve Fisher will still keep track of important scores. His health scores.

“When it comes to your health, the best offense is a good defense,” said Fisher, who has guided the Aztecs to seven Mountain West Conference titles. “Make sure you know your blood pressure, cholesterol and body mass index. And for men, keep tabs on your PSA levels.”

Fisher speaks from experience. A few years ago, his elevated PSA level led to a diagnosis of prostate cancer. He had successful minimally invasive robotic surgery at Scripps and remains cancer free today.

To help fans keep tabs on their health scores, Scripps will bring its mobile medical unit to several Padres games in 2013. Free health information and screenings for blood pressure and body mass index will be available.

“Knowing how your numbers compare with healthy ranges, and taking appropriate action, can help cut the risk of future health problems,” said Padres head team physician Heinz Hoenecke, MD, of Scripps Clinic.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects one in three adults in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It can lead to heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and other serious conditions. For healthy adults, normal blood pressure is less than 120/80. A reading above 140/90 is considered hypertension.

The CDC reports that more than two out of three adults in the United States are either overweight or obese. Excess body weight is linked to heightened risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, liver failure, sleep apnea and some forms of cancer.

Body mass index (BMI) can help determine if a person’s weight is healthy, relative to height. BMI is calculated as a person’s weight in kilograms, divided by height in meters squared. A BMI between 18 and 24 is considered healthy. Above 25 is overweight and above 30 is obese.

Padres fans will find important health resources at the Scripps Mobile Medical Unit. The vehicle also appears at community events around the county, including several in partnership with the Padres organization, which is a sponsor.

Fans can visit the Scripps Mobile Medical Unit beyond the right field fence, next to the Park at the Park, on these 2013 dates: April 13, May 7, May 18, June 15, June 22, July 13, July 14, Aug. 3, Aug. 19 and Sept. 22.

Scripps has been the official health care provider to the Padres since 1981. To find a Scripps physician, call 1-800-SCRIPPS.