The Heart Health Plus Program was created with the purpose of reducing health inequity in areas with a disproportionate burden of heart disease and related risk factors. The Florida Department of Health in Leon County (DOH-Leon) represents 1 of 15 county health departments that have implemented Heart Health Plus activities, including blood pressure self-monitoring (BPSM) programs, within the community. In addition, our staff work with community partners to provide screening and outreach within priority populations. We also collaborate with health systems to establish policies and systems that encourage the use of BPSM.
High Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps. When blood pressure stays high it is called hypertension. This means that the heart must work harder to get blood through your arteries to the rest of the body. High blood pressure can affect many other areas and puts a person at an increased risk for heart disease, stroke, and heart attack.
There are many things that can increase your risk of getting hypertension. Some we can control while others we cannot.
| You Cannot Control | You Can Control |
|---|---|
| Race | Weight |
| Heredity | Diet |
| Age | Alcohol Consumption |
| Sex | Physical Activity |
| Smoking |
Heart-Healthy Living
Heart-healthy living involves understanding your risk, making healthy choices, and taking steps to reduce your chances of getting heart disease. By taking preventive measures, you can lower your risk of developing heart disease or having a heart attack. You can also improve your overall health and well-being.
Key steps
- Know your risk for heart disease
- Check your blood pressure and cholesterol
- Choose heart-healthy foods
- Aim for a healthy weight
- Get regular physical activity
- Manage stress
- Quit smoking
- Get high-quality sleep