According to the most recent Community Health Needs Assessment for Duplin County, 35.4% of adults have high blood pressure. We have had the unique opportunity to partner with ECU Health Duplin Hospital and the Health Department here in Duplin County to lead a blood pressure education program with Senior Services through the Duplin Coalition for Health.

We began the program by learning more about what the numbers mean in a blood pressure reading and how to check your blood pressure correctly. In subsequent sessions, we discussed how our diet, physical activity, sleep, and tobacco usage can impact blood pressure as well. I love to learn, so my favorite session was probably learning about managing blood pressure medications. A pharmacist with ECU Health explained different types of blood pressure medications and how they work (using visuals).

My role is strictly educational- not clinical, so I can’t give specific recommendations to individuals. However, I can educate the general public on how food and chronic diseases are linked. I had the chance to speak about the Mediterranean diet and sodium and really enjoyed this program.

The image above is during a graduation ceremony to celebrate our first class of participants in this program. We were thrilled to acknowledge their progress and dedication at the graduation ceremony.

Interested in joining the next class this fall? Please call the senior center at 910-296-2140 to reserve a spot. Priority will be given to individuals with high blood pressure.