For Donna Block, Poway Villas Community Building Coordinator, heart
health is a very personal matter. Her father passed away at age 57
from a sudden heart attack. She was happy to learn about the
opportunity to partner with the County of San Diego’s Love
Your Heart campaign to offer free blood pressure screenings to
the residents at Poway Villas on Valentine’s Day.
“We are
active in bringing every resource we can to our residents,” said
Block. “Love Your Heart is a great opportunity to remind people of
just how easy it is to stay healthy, by getting their blood pressure
numbers checked.”
More than 17,400 residents across San
Diego County joined Block in this simple act of prevention by having
their blood pressure checked on Valentine’s Day. And like Block, many
of them shared personal stories about love and family as their
motivation for the screening.
One resident stated, as his
reason for getting screened; “I love my wife and she wants me to love
my heart.”
Another young woman got screened for the love
of her husband and children.
And 83-year-old Donald
Cochenour got a blood pressure screening for his own health and the
health of his community.
“I have always been very active
in any community in which I’ve lived,” said Cochenour. “I felt very
good getting my blood pressure screening today, and I encourage
everyone to know their numbers. Not getting screened can lead to a
very unhealthy life.”
The County Health and Human
Services Agency teamed up with more than 90 organizations and
businesses to offer free blood pressure screenings at more than 200
locations, including fire stations, libraries, community centers,
health clinics, businesses and County facilities. Many of the sites
also hosted farmers market and health fairs alongside the free blood
pressure screenings to help remind attendees to eat healthy, be active
and seek health resources if needed. This was the third year the
County and participating organizations hosted the screenings on
Valentine’s Day.
“San Diego County residents this year
took the screenings to heart and more people got checked than the
previous two years combined,” said Chairwoman Dianne Jacob, County
Board of Supervisors. “The success was largely due to all our partners
who hosted screening sites, which made it possible for many residents
to get checked near where they live or work.”
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.
“For some
people, getting their blood pressure checked delivers a wake-up call,”
said Supervisor Ron Roberts. “It’s great to see that so many people
were able to take that first important step to leading a healthier
life by getting screened at a Love Your Heart site.”
Love
Your Heart supports Live Well San Diego, the County’s ongoing
initiative to improve the health and safety of residents in the
region.
County News Center