About 1 in 3 adults in the United States—70 million people—have high blood pressure, but only half have it under control. High blood pressure increases one’s risk for heart disease and stroke, which are both leading causes of death for adults. The good news is that you can take steps to prevent high blood pressure or to control it if your blood pressure is already high. 

 

Healthy Heart Ambassador Program

The Healthy Heart Ambassador (HHA) program is a free, four-month initiative designed to promote heart health and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. This program teaches participants how to accurately record and monitor their blood pressure while enjoying a heart-healthy diet. 

To be eligible, participants must be 18 years or older, diagnosed with hypertension, and have no significant cardiac events in the last six months, nor atrial fibrillation or lymphedema. Throughout the program, participants receive weekly check-ins from a dedicated coach, offering personalized support and tips for managing their blood pressure at home. They also attend monthly nutrition seminars to learn about the importance of a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, regular exercise and effective stress management techniques. 

For more information, contact Estella at 913-477-8348 or estella.fondzeka@jocogov.org. 

 

Healthy Heart Ambassador Nutrition Seminars

These one-hour nutrition seminars are presented as part of the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment Healthy Heart Ambassador (HHA) program. You are welcome to attend one or all of the seminars, with or without joining the official HHA program. There is no cost to participate. 

All seminars are at the Central Resource Library (9875 W 87th St., Overland Park, KS) in room 20. For more information or to register for any of the nutrition seminars, contact Estella Fondzeka at estella.fodzeka@jocogov.org or 913-477-8348.

• Heart Healthy Eating for Life
  Are you finding it challenging to prepare and cook food to manage your high blood pressure? Feeling a bit lost about where to kick off your journey to better nutrition? We've got just the thing for you! Get ready for an engaging session filled with food demonstrations and recipe demonstrations. We're here to make your journey towards managing blood pressure enjoyable and informative. 

  • Next seminar will be in 2025.

• DASH Diet Way of Eating
  Discover how the DASH Diet can help manage high blood pressure by emphasizing whole grains, low-fat dairy, fish, legumes, nuts, fruits and veggies while limiting saturated fats, sugar and processed foods. Learn practical tips to make DASH easy in your daily life. Enjoy an engaging session with food demos and recipe tastings.
   
  • Next seminar will be in 2025.
     
• Lowering Sodium Intake
  High blood pressure, or hypertension, impacts nearly 1 in 3 Americans, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney failure due to damage to the body's blood vessels. Discover practical ways to manage high blood pressure by reducing sodium intake. 
   
  • Tuesday, November 12, 2024, 1-2:00 p.m.
     
• Shopping, Preparing & Cooking Food for Better Blood Pressure Management
  When you cook meals at home you are in control of what ingredients you use, reducing the intake of overly processed foods often encountered while dining out. Did you know that a whopping 70 percent of the sodium Americans consume comes from processed foods and restaurant meals? High-sodium diets are closely tied to elevated blood pressure and poor cardiovascular health. Cooking at home empowers you to not only manage salt levels but also keep tabs on refined carbs, sugar and saturated fat - all factors contributing to a heightened risk of heart disease. 
   
  • Tuesday, December 10, 2024, 1-2:00 p.m.