Walking onto the campus of Albert Einstein Academy after school, you can still see the playground and lunch tables buzzing with activity. That’s usually where you will find Sheree Lawrence, the school’s Student Support Lead and Building Site Supervisor, as she checks in with kids with words of encouragement and direction.

But this past December left Lawrence in need of her own encouragement and direction when she went in for a routine check-up with her doctor to discover that her blood pressure was very high.

“With this job I’m on my feet from about 7 o’clock in the morning until about 3 o’clock in the afternoon,” said Lawrence.  “I am putting in lots of steps.  There’s nothing that triggered that I had any issues other than when I had my blood pressure checked. I don’t feel sick. I’m usually pretty easy going.  It was kind of a surprise.”

A diagnosis of high blood pressure may come as a surprise to many others like Lawrence. In November, the American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Cardiology (ACC) redefined high blood pressure as a pressure of 130 systolic or higher, or 80 diastolic or higher, which remains consistent over time.  These new guidelines will result in nearly half the U.S. adult population (46 percent) having high blood pressure, or hypertension. By lowering the definition of high blood pressure, AHA and ACC hope that more people can address high blood pressure early through lifestyle changes.

“First thing I did was say, ‘ok, I need to start exercising,’” explained Lawrence. “I can’t make all these changes all at once, I’ll start with just getting exercise down into a routine and after a few weeks I’ll start the diet process.”

But Lawrence knew she couldn’t do it alone.

“I really reached out for a support team, because I knew trying to do it now, on my own, it would be difficult to start,” said Lawrence. “The school’s PE Coach offers an AEA Fit class for teachers once a week after school.  I joined that and, in addition, my colleague and I are working out together at the school gym another day of the week.  It really helps when you have gotten out of the habit to have the support of others.”

Lawrence has older parents that she will need to take care of eventually and a daughter entering college soon.  She knows she needs to be there for her family, so making these changes is important to her.

“I certainly don’t want a stroke,” said Lawrence.  “You just have to get motivated.  You have time - you just have to decide that you are going to make time to make these changes. I am going to get right back into it and get fit.”

“It is also important to get your blood pressure checked so you know what’s going on in your body before it’s too late.  I sometimes say, what I don’t know won’t hurt me, but in this case, what I don’t know could hurt me. It is important for people to be aware.” 

To help other San Diego residents get to know their numbers, the County of San Diego in partnership with sites across the U.S. and Mexico will offer FREE blood pressure screenings to the public during its annual Love Your Heart event held on Valentine’s Day, February 14th. Last year's event helped over 53,000 people get to know their blood pressure numbers and take charge of their own heart health.

To find a screening site near you visit LoveYourHeartSD.org or call 2-1-1.