Health Heart Ambassador Program: A useful tool in blood pressure monitoring.
By Anne Hayse, RDN, LD, RYT-200
Registered Dietitian – Community Health Info Coordinator I
Johnson County Department of Health and Environment
Do you have high blood pressure (also called hypertension) and need to get into the habit of checking your blood pressure at home? Maybe it makes you nervous or you want to be sure you are doing it correctly.
You may have heard that changes to your diet and physical activity can help lower your blood pressure but need help figuring out where to start.
Suppose any or all of those statements are true. In that case, we’d like to invite you to our FREE Healthy Heart Ambassadors (HHA) program, now offered by the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment in collaboration with the Health Partnership Clinic in Olathe.
What is the Health Heart Ambassador (HHA) Program?
The HHA Program is a four-month program to encourage self-monitoring and recording of blood pressure, as well as a heart-healthy diet.
What benefits do participants receive?
- In-person office hour visits to check in and receive support from an HHA
- Weekly check-ins from their HHA via phone or email
- Monthly nutrition education seminars (open to ALL community members who want to learn more about a heart-healthy lifestyle)
- Education and support on how to properly self-monitor blood pressure
- Your own blood pressure cuff if you need one
What are the goals of the HHA Program?
- Reduction in blood pressure
- Better blood pressure management
- Increased awareness of triggers that elevate blood pressure
- Enhanced knowledge to develop healthier eating habits
Here’s how the American Heart Association defines high blood pressure or hypertension:
High blood pressure doesn’t always have symptoms, meaning you may have high blood pressure and not even know it. The only way to be sure is to take your blood pressure regularly!
For more information, contact: Estella at 913-477-8348, estella.fondzeka@jocogov.org
