High Blood Pressure Management Program
Supported by the Jefferson County Department of Health and the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham
JOIN THE MOVEMENT TO GET YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE DOWN!
The Let’s Get Down 35211: High Blood Pressure Management project places blood pressure measuring stations (kiosks) in four locations in the 35211 ZIP code to make it easier for residents to know their blood pressure numbers and take action to lower their blood pressure.
Did you know...
- More than 2 in 5 adults in Alabama have high blood pressure (also called hypertension)?
- Less than 1 of 4 people with high blood pressure have it under control?
Measuring your blood pressure is a key step toward keeping a healthy blood pressure. Because high blood pressure and elevated blood pressure often have no symptoms, checking your blood pressure is the best way to know whether it is too high.
If you learn that you have high blood pressure, you should
take steps to control your blood pressure to lower your risk for heart disease and stroke.
READY TO MEASURE YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE?
First, have your blood pressured checked at your healthcare provider’s office or at a blood pressure kiosk at one of the locations below:
-
Birmingham Public Library – West End Branch
1348 Tuscaloosa Avenue SW
Birmingham, AL 35211
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church
2135 Jefferson Avenue SW
Birmingham, AL 35211
Hours: TBD
- Mount Canaan Full Gospel Church
2725 24th Street SW
Birmingham, AL 35211
Hours: TBD
- New Hope Baptist Church
1740 Cleburn Avenue
Birmingham, AL 35211
Hours: TBD
WHAT DO MY BLOOD PRESSURE NUMBERS MEAN?
Blood pressure is measured by two numbers. The first number, called systolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. The second number, called diastolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats. If the measurement reads 120 systolic and 80 diastolic, you would say “120 over 80,” or write “120/80 mmHg.”
Blood pressure changes throughout the day based on your activities. Having blood pressure readings consistently above normal, which is less than 120/80 mmHg, may result in a diagnosis of high blood pressure (hypertension). Learn more about what is considered normal blood pressure, as recommended by the American Heart Association, in the chart below and at
www.heart.org/bplevels.
The higher your blood pressure level, the greater risk you have for other health problems, such as heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
Your health care provider can diagnose high blood pressure and make treatment decisions by reviewing your systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels.
If you need a low-cost adult primary care provider in Jefferson County, Alabama, visit
www.findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.
WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT OR MANAGE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?
Making and maintaining lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and other health conditions. The following lifestyle changes may help you lower your blood pressure: keeping a healthy weight, reducing sodium (salt), and alcohol intake, getting regular physical activity, quitting smoking, and managing other health conditions.
BLOOD PRESSURE MANAGEMENT MORE RESOURCES
For more information about monitoring and managing high blood pressure, please check out the following resources:
LET’S GET DOWN 35211 BACKGROUND
Why focus on the 35211 ZIP code?
The largest health system in Jefferson County found the 35211 ZIP code had the highest number of patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure with a diagnosis of stroke or heart failure, two major, costly complications of uncontrolled high blood pressure.
Why focus on blood pressure monitoring?
High blood pressure is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Over 41% of adults in Alabama have high blood pressure. Among adults with high blood pressure in the U.S., only 22.5% have their blood pressure controlled.
Who is supporting the Let’s Get Down 35211 Program?
Community partners: Birmingham Public Library - West End Branch, Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Mt. Canaan Full Gospel Church, and New Hope Baptist Church, provide the space for blood pressure kiosks. Let’s Get Down 35211 is funded by the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham and the Jefferson County Department of Health.
For more information, please call
205-575-DOWN (3696) to speak to a team member of the Let’s Get Down 35211: High Blood Pressure Management program.