Participating in Love Your Heart is just one of the many ways that the Encinitas Senior Center is doing their part to help the senior community live well. This is the third year that the Encinitas Senior Center has been a Love Your Heart screening site, and about 30 seniors have opted to get their blood pressure checked.

In previous years, blood pressure checks were offered in a conference room away from the activity centers, but this year it is being offered alongside the center’s senior lunch program. Encinitas Senior Center manager, Christie Goodsell, hopes that making the event part of the action will encourage more seniors to get their blood pressure checked.

"I got my blood pressure checked today because I find it very important to keep up with your health," said Maria Lewis, a volunteer at the Encinitas Senior Center. “I am very active and volunteer here four days a week and go dancing two or three times a week. I want to stay healthy so I can continue dancing and volunteering."

This is the first year that American Medical Response (AMR) has partnered with the Encinitas Senior Center. During this year's event, AMR will have volunteer Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) stationed at sites all over San Diego County.

"I decided to volunteer because I think this is a great opportunity to get your blood pressure checked," said Laura Werbaneth, a volunteer EMT with AMR. "Normally, you don't get your blood pressure checked unless you were going to the doctor once a year. It's really something that can sneak up on you. If you have high blood pressure you don't always have symptoms, so I think it's good to keep track of your health."

More than 27,000 people in San Diego County and Mexico received free blood pressure screenings during the 2016 Love Your Heart event.