A Little Screening Can Save Your Life
Mar 31, 2015
5th Annual Big Squeeze is Underway
The Big Squeeze has launched its fifth annual blood pressure awareness effort in the community. 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.
“We are proud to partner with The Big Squeeze,” said Dr. Dean Aguiling, a physician with Avera Medical Group Internal Medicine. “As a health care provider, we know that preventive services, such as a routine blood pressure check, are at the forefront of improving health. What we have learned through The Big Squeeze is that only about a third of the adults screened through the program had normal blood pressure readings. And, of those who had high readings, many had never been told by a health care professional that they have high blood pressure.”
Dr. Dan Heinemann, Chief Medical Officer for Sanford Health Network & Clinic, agrees that high blood pressure is an important concern in the community.
“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,” said Heinemann. “This is an important issue for individuals, but it is also important to employers. Participating in The Big Squeeze is one way we can support our employees’ well-being – by providing an environment that promotes good health.”
There is good news when it comes to blood pressure, however.
“Although high blood pressure is a serious health issue, it can be managed,” said Franken. “But to manage blood pressure, you have to know your numbers—and that’s what The Big Squeeze is all about. A simple blood pressure screening might just save a life.”
Screening locations for the April project can be found on our Calendar of Events.
For more information on how to become involved in The Big Squeeze, please contact Live Well Sioux Falls at livewell@siouxfalls.org or call 605-367-8286.
