Free Blood Pressure Screening Provided by Registered Nurses in May

April 28, 2006—MHP Registered Nurses are celebrating National Nurses Week (May 6-12) by giving back to our community. During the month of May nurses will set up free blood pressure screening booths in Muskegon. Their goal is to check 2,000 blood pressures during this time.

“Through our work as nurses, we know that many people in our community have high blood pressure and are unaware of it,” says Jan Gowell, RN at Mercy Health Partners. “Long standing untreated blood pressure can go on to cause chronic and debilitating illnesses, including heart attack, stroke, kidney damage and congestive heart failure.”

Free blood pressure screenings will be held at the following dates and locations:

Mercy Lobby (1500 E. Sherman Blvd.)
Monday, May 1, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Monday, May 8, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Monday, May 15, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Monday, May 22, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Muskegon General Lobby (1700 Oak Ave.)
Thursday, May 4, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Thursday, May 11, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Thursday, May 18, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Holton High School
Thursday, May 18, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

The Lakes Mall
Friday, May 12, 5 p.m.-8 p.m.
Saturday, May 13, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Saturday, May 20, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Muskegon Community College
Wednesday, May 3, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Wednesday, May 10, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Wednesday, May 24, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Muskegon Heights High School
Thursday, May 25, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Muskegon YFMA
Tuesday, May 2, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Saturday, May 20, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

In addition to National Nurses Week, May is also designated as National High Blood Pressure Education Month. Here are some blood pressure facts everyone should know:

• One in three adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure. Often people are not aware they have the condition because there are usually no signs or symptoms.
• High blood pressure can lead to heart disease, stroke and kidney failure—the 1, 3, and 9 causes of death in the U.S.
• Diabetes and obesity increase the risk of developing high blood pressure.
• Normal blood pressure is a reading of 120/80 mm Hg or lower.
• Consistent readings over 130/80 mm HG may be a sign of high blood pressure.
• Eating a well-balanced diet, participating in regular physical activity, and shedding excess weight can help control blood pressure.

For more information about the free blood pressure screenings, call Kelly Kurburski at 672-6966.