Northgate Gonzalez Market in City Heights was decked out in Valentine's Day cheer with festive balloons and flowers throughout the store. Adding to the festive mood was the Love Your Heart event held in the store for employees and store customers. This event included free blood pressure checks offered by the County Central Region Public Nurse and City College nursing program volunteers. Also participating were the Network for a Healthy California retail and worksite wellness programs. After getting their blood pressure checked, participants enjoyed the blood orange blueberry spa water offered at the Network's table. The spa water was a hit! Employees were happy to see it offered as a low sugar alternative alongside the aguas frescas sold in store. A pair of construction workers walked away with the idea of offering spa water at their construction site.

For employees, getting their blood pressure checked during their otherwise busy day was a welcome break and offered peace of mind to many who didn't know their numbers and were a bit concerned before getting screened. For Pablo Coss, who hadn't been to the doctor in 10 years, it was a relief knowing that he didn't have high blood pressure. He, like many others, was given the advice to eat healthy, exercise, and be mindful of sodium intake. Others walked away with a better understanding of how to interpret their blood pressure numbers.

This event was a collaboration among Northgate Gonzalez Market (a recognized Live Well San Diego partner), Central Region public health nurses, UCSD Retail and Worksite Wellness programs, and City College nursing program.