.jpg)
SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO-AM) The Big Squeeze 2014 is under way. Live Well Sioux Falls and The Big Squeeze community team kicked off their fourth annual blood pressure awareness effort today. The number of residents screened has more than tripled since The Big Squeeze began in 2011.
“The Big Squeeze directly correlates with the Live Well Sioux Falls initiative,” said Jill Franken, Public Health Director. “Through Live Well and our community partners, we are educating the residents of Sioux Falls on how to live a healthier lifestyle through improved nutrition, increased physical activity, reduced tobacco use, and by managing risk factors for disease such as high blood pressure.”
A group of public and private partners from the Sioux Falls community have driven this successful effort, including the American Heart Association, Avera Health, City of Sioux Falls, DAKOTACARE, Lewis Drug, Novartis, Sanford Health, Sioux Falls Fire Rescue, and Walgreens.
In addition to the project partners, The Big Squeeze engages businesses and other organizations in the community to host on-site blood pressure screenings. One company that has been a regular participant is Raven Industries.
“Raven is proud to partner with The Big Squeeze,” said Teresa DeBoer, human resources manager at Raven. “We know that preventive services, such as a routine blood pressure check, are at the forefront of improving health. As an employer, one way we can support our employees’ well-being is to provide an environment that promotes good health. It benefits the individuals, but it also benefits the employer.”
Rick Knobe knows the benefits of a simple blood pressure check. When the 2013 Big Squeeze project concluded and representatives from the project visited Knobe’s radio talk show, they checked his blood pressure while on air and the reading was high.
“I thought the high reading was just because I was in my work setting or perhaps because of a cup of coffee,” said Knobe. “But they checked it twice and it was high both times. I followed up with my doctor who started me on a treatment program that has included some healthy lifestyle changes.”
While Knobe knew he has a family history of high blood pressure, many individuals with high blood pressure don’t know it.
Less than half of the adults who were screened in 2013 had normal blood pressure readings. Forty-one percent were found to have “at risk” blood pressure and another 18 percent had readings in the “high” or “critically high” categories. Of those found to be “high” or “critically high,” 37 percent had never been told by a health care professional that they have high blood pressure.
A simple blood pressure screening might just save a life, explained Franken.
“According to the American Heart Association, 69 percent of people who have their first heart attack, 77 percent of people who have their first stroke, and 74 percent of people with chronic heart failure have high blood pressure,” she said. “Although high blood pressure is a serious health issue, it can be managed. But to manage blood pressure, you have to know your numbers—and that’s what The Big Squeeze is all about.”
Screening locations for the April project can be found at www.thebigsqueezesf.org.
For more information on how to become involved in The Big Squeeze, please contact Live Well Sioux Falls at livewell@siouxfalls.org or call 605-367-8031.