NOHS/AHA launch program to Make
High Blood Pressure a Health Priority
A free community-based program is making a
difference for participants battling a top health threat —
high blood pressure, the second-leading cause of death
in the United States.
“Only cigarettes kill more people than high blood
pressure,” says Dr. Jherie Ducombs, a Cardiologist
and Vice President/Assistant Chief Medical Officer of
North Oaks Health System. “You can’t see or feel high
blood pressure, so regularly check your numbers and be
accountable in a program like Check. Change. Control.
This program can help motivate people to make life-
saving changes. And we encourage the community to
participate in this free program.”
Participants in the free, science-based program have
seen an average drop in systolic blood pressure of 11
mmHg, according to the American Heart Association/
American Stroke Association.
Sponsored locally by North Oaks Health System,
anyone can participate in the free online program and
track and manage their blood pressure by signing up
at www.heart.org/ccc. The Northshore community
campaign code is NOHS1.
“We are excited to begin this program because
high blood pressure is a key health issue. Nearly half
of American adults have high blood pressure,” says
Brittany Gay, American Heart Association New
Orleans Vice President. “Getting on the front lines of
preventative care can help prevent the damage that high
blood pressure does to the circulatory system. This is a
significant contributing factor to heart attack, stroke and
other health threats.”
Such programs need more extensive use because
more than 100 million American adults have high blood
pressure, defined as a blood pressure reading of 130/80
or higher. High blood pressure increases the risk of heart
attack, stroke and heart failure, as well as contributing to
vision loss and kidney disease.
African Americans are more likely to have high blood
pressure at younger ages, and along with Hispanic
Americans, are less likely to have their blood pressure
under control, according to recent research.
Louisiana has high rates of obesity, physical inactivity
and hypertension. Just over 39 percent of adults in
Louisiana have high blood pressure, according to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But support
from Check. Change. Control. can help local residents
keep their blood pressure in check with monitoring,
group activities and mentoring. Nationwide, more than
65,000 people have enrolled in Check. Change. Control.
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