Love Your Heart

About the Program

Category: Health (Best in Category)

Year: 2014

Every minute, heart disease kills one person in the United States. In 2012, the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) launched the “Love Your Heart” campaign to address heart disease locally. The goal is to get people to think about their heart and encourage them to have their blood pressure checked every year because “knowing your numbers” is critical for heart health. To do it, HHSA organizes a free blood pressure screening event every year. For people with access to primary care, the event reminds them of the importance of routine heart disease screenings. For residents with limited access to such services, this intervention allows them to meet with a healthcare provider and connect with resources. “Love Your Heart” takes place every Valentine’s Day and fits perfectly with Live Well San Diego, the County’s 10-year initiative to improve the health and wellbeing of area residents. For the third annual “Love Your Heart” in 2014,the County worked with dozens of agencies and organizations, including fire stations, businesses, universities, and non-profits to offer free blood pressure screenings at more than 200 “Love Your Heart” sites. A total of 17,774 individuals got their blood pressure checked.