Norwalk Recognizes High Blood Pressure Awareness Month

NORWALK, CT — May is High Blood Pressure Awareness Month, and the Norwalk Health Department is teaming up with the American Heart Association and local partners to give residents tools and information to monitor and control their blood pressure.

The American Heart Association estimates that nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure, also called hypertension, and many of them don’t know that they have it, because it does not usually cause signs or symptoms. But high blood pressure can lead to heart attack, stroke, and other health problems.

People can take control by learning more about blood pressure, talking to their doctor, and trying one of three community blood pressure programs:

Know Your Numbers Community Screenings

Attend a Know Your Numbers Community screening to learn your blood pressure, blood sugar (A1C), body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference. You’ll receive a written summary of your results to discuss with your doctor, health recommendations and information, and connection to community resources. No appointments or insurance are required.

Screenings are held monthly at the Norwalk Library and Opens Doors and occasionally at other locations around Norwalk. Join us for our next screening: May 20 at Open Doors at Smilow Life Center (55 Chestnut Street).

Visit https://www.norwalkct.gov/3535/Know-Your-Numbers for a list of other upcoming dates.

Self-Monitoring Stations

In partnership with the American Heart Association (AHA), NHD set up blood pressure self-monitoring stations at locations throughout Norwalk, including:

• Norwalk Public Library: Main Branch (1 Belden Avenue)
• Person to Person (96 South Main Street)
• Elder House (7 Lewis Street)
• Norwalk Senior Center (11 Allen Road)

You can drop in to any of these locations during their normal hours to check your blood pressure and find helpful information about what your results mean, how you can take steps to control blood pressure, and a list of some local healthcare providers. Taking measurements regularly can help you stay on track.

Library Check-Out

In addition, if you have a library card, you can check out a blood pressure kit from the Norwalk Public Library Main Branch or SoNo Branch. The kit includes an automated blood pressure self-monitor and cuff, instructions, and education materials about how to interpret results, heart healthy tips, and where to go for help if you have an elevated reading.

In addition to our partnership with the AHA, NHD is grateful for funding support from the CT Department of Public Health and Nuvance Health that helps make these programs possible.

For more information:
• Norwalk Health Department Know Your Numbers program: https://www.norwalkct.gov/3535/Know-Your-Numbers

• American Heart Association: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure

About the Norwalk Department of Health:

With valuable guidance from its six-member Board of Health, the Norwalk Health Department provides a variety of services and programs to fulfill its mission: to prevent and control the spread of disease, promote a healthy environment, and protect the quality of life within its changing community. The Health Department achieved initial accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) in June 2014 and reaccreditation in March 2022, demonstrating that it meets or exceeds national public health standards and commits to continuously improve the quality of the services it delivers. More information is available at www.norwalkhealth.com.