The time is now for West Shore residents to ease their blood pressure.
Free blood pressure screening, monitoring and education has arrived on the West Shore with B次元官网网址淭ake the Pressure DownB次元官网网址� community clinics coming in time for heart month in February.
B次元官网网址淭hrough our home support and care facility work ... we see the downstream effects from heart disease and strokes,B次元官网网址� said Isobel McKenzie, CEO of Beacon Community Services. B次元官网网址淲e are working in partnership for a healthier community.B次元官网网址�
The community agency is offering appointment-free clinics in partnership with the Heart and Stroke Foundation at the Westshore Town Centre and the West Shore Parks and Recreation Centre.
People can have their blood pressure taken and be given information about heart health. The pilot program started in Victoria in 2009, expanded to the Saanich Peninsula in 2010 and expanded to the West Shore and Sooke in 2012.
B次元官网网址淚n 2010, the World Health Organization recognized hypertension as the leading risk factor for mortality around the world,B次元官网网址� said Jeff Sommers, manager of Research and Science for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. B次元官网网址淚t is an issue on the global level, it is the number one chronic condition in B.C. with (more than) 700,000 people (affected).B次元官网网址�
High blood pressure, or hypertension affects about 22 per cent of Canadian adults and is directly associated with health problems including cardiovascular disease, stroke and kidney disease. Information will be forwarded to family physicianB次元官网网址檚 if blood pressure is high and the agency will follow up if necessary.
B次元官网网址淧revention is one of the cornerstones of our mission. Helping people help themselves,B次元官网网址� McKenzie said. B次元官网网址淏y monitoring blood pressure you are able to look at early intervention and strategies to help folks be healthier and maintain independence later in life.B次元官网网址�
Future dates include the Westshore Town Centre Feb. 23 and March 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and at West Shore Parks and Recreation, Feb. 16, March 1 and 15, 4 to 7 p.m.
For more information visit www.takethepressuredown.ca.
