Center for Healthy Living to focus on hypertension in upcoming program

Due to the prevalence of hypertension (high blood pressure), the Center for Healthy Living on Purdue's West Lafayette campus is continuing to offer multiple ways to assist with identifying and managing the condition. The center is offering the first of its recurring five-week programs focused on managing hypertension beginning Feb. 7. Participants must have a diagnosis of hypertension as identified by a Center for Healthy Living provider or through self-referral with approved documentation from a community provider. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 75 million American adults have high blood pressure, which breaks down to one in three adults. In addition, about one in three has prehypertension and only about half of the individuals affected have their condition under control.

“High blood pressure increases the risk for many serious health issues, including heart attack and stroke, which are among the leading causes of death in America,” says Tia Walker, registered nurse and health coach at the Center for Healthy Living who will lead the hypertension program. “Hypertension is especially dangerous because there are usually no warning signs or symptoms. Through this program we want to help people understand how nutrition, physical activity, stress management and medication use when needed can help them keep their numbers in a healthy range.” 

During the five-week comprehensive self-management program, participants also will gain knowledge needed to change blood pressure through guidance in self-care and management as well as develop a blood pressure action plan so they can partner with their health care provider to gain the most from office visits.

The program will take place in the center’s conference room and is tailored to assist individuals with high blood pressure learn more about the condition in order to stay healthy and prevent complications.

The course is offered from noon to 12:50 p.m. on Tuesdays beginning Feb. 7 and runs through March 7. Limited seats are available for this small group format.

Those interested need to register by Feb. 6 via the patient portal by following these steps:

* Log in and click the envelope icon in the top right corner of the page.

* Click the New button in the top right corner of the page.

* Click the Add Recipient button and select Wellness Program Registration, then click Select.

* Type Workshop Registration as the subject.

* Enter your name, contact information and which workshop you would like to attend in the body of the email, then click Send. 

Employees without computer access can call 765-494-5505 to register.

In addition to the recurring five-week workshops, the Center for Healthy Living offers no-cost one-on-one and telephonic health coaching appointments to all benefits-eligible employees as well as spouses/dependents covered on a Purdue health plan.

The center is open 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. Lab hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For medical consultation after hours or on weekends, contact the Anthem NurseLine at 888-279-5449 for assistance or utilize LiveHealth Online for a virtual appointment.