Center for Healthy Living program to focus on managing hypertension

The Center for Healthy Living is offering another five-week program focused on managing hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. Participants must have a diagnosis of hypertension as identified by a Center for Healthy Living provider or through self-referral with approved documentation from a community provider. 

"According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 75 million American adults have high blood pressure, which breaks down to one in three adults," says Kamal Singh, PharmD at the center. "High blood pressure increases the risk for heart attack and stroke, which are among the leading causes of death in America. Simple lifestyle changes, medications and regular monitoring can help control your blood pressure and reduce these risks."

As part of the center's emphasis on heart health, it regularly offers a workshop series on Tuesdays centered on hypertension and cholesterol. This workshop, part of the center's Heart to Heart series, will focus on hypertension and will feature a presentation by a counselor in the Employee Assistance Program on stress-relief techniques in an effort to control blood pressure. In addition, the center's registered nurse and certified health coach, Cheryl Laszynski, will provide tips on how to build a flavorful, healthy snack low in sodium.

This comprehensive education and self-management program will take place in the center's conference room and is tailored to assist individuals with high blood pressure learn more about the condition in order to stay healthy and prevent complications.

The course is offered from noon to 12:50 p.m. on Tuesdays beginning Aug. 16 and runs through Sept. 20; no class will be held the week of Sept. 5 in recognition of the Labor Day holiday.

Register by Aug. 11 by calling 49-45505. Limited seats are available for this small group format to allow for better participation with the health coach.

The center is open 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. Lab hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For medical consultation after hours or on weekends, contact the Anthem NurseLine at 888-279-5449 for assistance.