With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, many of us are thinking about matters of the heart.  This year, give yourself and your loved ones a healthy gift from the heart – by getting a free blood pressure screening on Valentine’s Day.

County officials and community partners joined together yesterday to kickoff the third annual Love Your Heart campaign to help residents take charge of their own health by offering free blood pressure screenings on Valentine’s Day.

On February 14th, residents can have their blood pressure checked by stopping in at any of more than 200 locations across the San Diego region, including fire stations, libraries, community centers, health clinics, businesses and County facilities.  Residents can call 2-1-1 or go to loveyourheartsd.org for the nearest screening location.

“Our message is simple: this Valentine’s Day, love your heart by getting a free blood pressure check,” said County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Dianne Jacob. “It’s one of the easiest and most important steps you can do to take charge of your health.”

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and the second leading cause of death in San Diego County.  Obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and a family history of heart disease can put an individual at greater risk.

“Heart disease is one of our most serious health risks,” said Supervisor Ron Roberts.  “Working with our partners, the County is committed to helping residents live healthier and safer lives.  Love Your Heart is a great example of these partnerships in action.”

More than 90 organizations are partnering with the County for Love Your Heart by offering free blood pressure screenings on Valentine’s Day, with the goal of screening 20,000+ residents.  The Love Your Heart campaign is just one example of how partners in every sector are supporting better health for residents across San Diego County.

Jerry Sanders, President and CEO of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce - a recognized Live Well San Diego partner - spoke at the kickoff event about the importance of health to businesses across San Diego County.

“There is no doubt that the health of employees impacts the health of our communities,” said Sanders.  “The health of our workforce is directly linked to the healthy bottom line of our businesses as well as our local economy.  With heart disease as one of the leading causes of death in San Diego County, getting a blood pressure check is a must.  It’s an easy first step to managing your health.”

The Love Your Heart campaign supports Live Well San Diego, the County’s long term initiative to improve the health, safety and well-being of residents in the region.

Hours for each screening site vary.  For more information, call 2-1-1 or visit the Love Your Heart webpage: www.loveyourheartsd.org.

Pictured above:  Nick Macchione, Director of the County Health and Human Services Agency (left), and Helen Robbins-Meyer, County Chief Administrative Officer (2nd from left), pose with Mary Ann Barnes, Senior Vice President/Executive Director of Kaiser Permanente San Diego (3rd from left) and fire department community partners at the Love Your Heart kickoff event