PIMA COUNTY–The Pima County Health Department encourages individuals to get free blood pressure readings this Valentine’s Day in honor of American Heart Month and the “Love Your Heart/Ama Tu Corazón” bi-national heart disease awareness initiative.
San Diego County started the Love Your Heart campaign in 2011 to increase heart disease awareness among men and women in its community. Since then, the initiative has expanded throughout the U.S. and Mexico and has now taken hold of Pima County.
Heart disease affects people of all ages regardless of age or gender. In Pima County, it continues as the leading cause of death for men and women. While there are several risk factors associated with the disease, many of them –including high blood pressure– can be controlled. People can prevent the disease and help keep a strong-beating heart by making small changes to their routine, such as eating more fruits and vegetables, getting more physical activity, quitting smoking, and visiting a doctor regularly for preventive checkups.
Join us Feb. 14 at the following Love Your Heart locations for a free blood pressure check where you will get to take home healthy heart tools and enter to win a blood pressure machine.
- Sam Lena-South Tucson Library 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
- Woods Memorial Library 1 – 5 p.m.
- Himmel Park Library 3 – 5 p.m.
- Joel D. Valdez Main Library 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Abrams Public Health Center 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. and
- 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
- Eckstrom-Columbus Library 2 – 5 p.m.
If you cannot attend, we encourage you to still check your blood pressure this Valentine’s Day. Many local grocery stores and pharmacies offer free blood pressure kiosks. You can also take this opportunity to call your medical provider and schedule an appointment for a preventative exam.
Prevent future heartache and Love Your Heart this Valentine’s Day. Check your blood pressure. For additional information on how to prevent heart disease, visit
pima.gov/healthyheart.