Free blood pressure screenings continue at Graafschap Fire station

Do you know what your blood pressure is? Most Americans go through their day and never think about it. Why would you? It’s normally something that gets checked annually at your doctor, right?

GFD offers weekly blood pressure screenings at the station, 4534 60th Street every Wednesday from 10-12. In the past year, we have noted dangerous trends on several screening individuals. After they followed up with their physicians, we are happy to report that their blood pressure has been lowered and reduced their risk of serious issues.

According to a story on the TODAY show, nearly 200 million Americans have high blood pressure, but new research suggests about 1-in-6 adults in the United States with hypertension don’t even know they have it. In a segment on the TODAY Show, Dr. Natalie Azar breaks it down why so many people are missing the warning signs and what people can do about it.

Most think that high blood pressure is an older person’s disease. Although the older population does have a higher incidence of vascular issues, anyone can be afflicted. Common warning signs are headaches and dizziness. Much of the treatment starts at home with personal choices.

Below shows some of the life-threatening complications that may arise with high blood pressure. Dr. Azar has some tips in a previous segment on how to keep blood pressure under control.

The blood pressure clinic at GFD is part of the Community Risk Reduction program which offers smoke and carbon monoxide detector evaluation and installation, home safety audits, and hosting a bi-monthly American Red Cross blood drive. All these programs are FREE to residents within our response area.

Call 616-396-4060 or email davegrumney@graafschapfire.org for more information.