Get Cuffed Berkshires

Tackling high blood pressure in the Berkshires

Did you know high blood pressure is the silent killer and every 39 seconds an adult dies of a heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular disease? Nationally, nearly 60 million Americans are at risk for hypertension and pre-hypertension, largely driven by lifestyle factors such as being overweight, physical inactivity and smoking. Here in Berkshire County, approximately 18% of people have high blood pressure, which is defined as a reading greater than 140 over 90, and an additional 30% are at risk for high blood pressure.

Berkshire Health Systems and the Tri-Town Health Department were awarded a $250,000 grant from the Massachusetts Attorney General's office to help address the problem of high blood pressure in the Berkshires from 2011-2013. During that grant period:

• 9,000+ clients had their blood pressure taken in community and/or worksite
• Providing targeted clinical interventions for high risk people, expanding access to screening and monitoring, and providing 1,000 automatic blood pressure cuffs to the highest risk individuals
• 86% of individuals who participated with blood pressure over 140/90 (hypertension) now have blood pressure readings at goal

Get Cuffed clinical services continue due to the valued support of BHS. Every month we continue to offer blood pressures screenings and individual and group Get Cuffed classes with a nurse throughout the community.

For more information about Get Cuffed or to register for a class near you, contact:

Susan Kaufman, RN, 413-447-3052 or skaufman@bhs1.org