More than one-third of Memphians have high blood pressure. That’s why local organizations like Baptist are starting and supporting programs to help reduce the incidence of this “silent killer.”
The Common Table Health Alliance is among those leading the charge. Zach Chandler, Baptist’s executive vice president and chief strategy officer, serves as board treasurer of the group, which focuses on better health, better care, and lower costs as strategies for economic vitality. CTHA recently launched the yearlong Healthy Shelby Hypertension campaign with a kickoff called “140/90: Living Life Under Pressure.” Baptist was a sponsor of the event, whose spokesperson was former Memphis Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins. For more information, please visit www.commontablehealth.org.
In addition to working with CTHA and Healthy Shelby, Baptist has partnered with the American Heart Association and the Southern Heritage Classic to host the second annual “Who Has the Most Heart?” challenge. Using the AHA’s Check Change Control software, participants self-monitor their blood pressure, weight and body mass index to keep track of how effective they are in improving their numbers between now and Dec. 31. To join the contest, visit www.baptistonline.org/mostheart.
Baptist Medical Group recently brought the national Measure Up/Pressure Down program to the Mid-South to help improve high blood pressure prevention, detection and control in the area. As part of the program, BMG will provide community-wide services to raise blood pressure awareness, including free blood pressure checks and public health education. For more information about the campaign, visit www.MeasureUpPressureDown.com.