From The Trussville Tribune Staff Reports
A new program to help prevent hypertension allows people to monitor their own blood pressure at the YMCA of Greater Birmingham according to a report by WIAT.
Introduced in late 2016, the program at the YMCA is aimed at Alabamians at risk for heart attacks or stroke as a result of high blood pressure. More than 16,000 Alabamians die every year from these conditions, the report says.
African Americans are at a higher risk for blood pressure related illnesses as well as women 65 years or older. It is recommended that people have their blood pressure checked regularly.
The program is free and hold three sessions a year, with an upcoming session beginning in February 2017.
Qualifications are: that participants must be at least 18 years old, must be diagnosed with high blood pressure, must not have experienced a recent cardiac event, must not have atrial fibrillation or other arrhythmias, must not be at risk for lymphedema
More information can be found at www.ymcabham.org.