Blood Pressure Screening and Treatment
Community Blood Pressure Screening Project
Overweight,
diabetes, and hypertension are chronic
diseases which – if uncontrolled – can cause kidney failure, heart
attacks, stroke, and other serious complications. Twenty-six percent of
the adults in District 10 have been told they have high blood pressure
(Georgia Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System BRFSS 2005). About
half of people with diabetes and hypertension do not have their disease
under control.
The
Community Blood Pressure Screening Project is designed to increase the
number of at-risk people who get screened and referred to the appropriate
medical service. The project also makes it easier for people with known
hypertension to monitor their blood pressure on a regular basis and
improve control.
As of the
beginning of 2007, 102 sites in District 10 serve as screening and
monitoring sites for the public to check their blood pressure. The sites
include government buildings, Senior Centers, Dept. of Family and Children
Services, Dept. of Labor, churches, schools, businesses, beauty/barber
shops, and recreation centers. Each site has an automatic monitor, survey
cards with a collection box, and educational material.
Surveys
collected thus far reveal that 85% were first time users, 15% returning
users, 68% female, 32% male, 68% white, 28% black, 4% other. 34% of those
surveyed who had a high reading stated they DID NOT know they had high
blood pressure.
Another 150
displays and monitors are to be distributed during 2007 along with staffed
screenings and educational presentations.
Hypertension Treatment
Did you know that you can get treatment for high blood
pressure or diabetes at your Health Department?
If you have high blood pressure or diabetes, the Health
Department has a full range of services that can meet your needs.
Services include:
