This year the Cardiovascular Health Awareness Program + Action Plan (CHAP+AP) will host several free public blood pressure clinics, providing residents of Wallaceburg and the surrounding area with convenient access to this vital service in the fight against heart disease and stroke.

“Wallaceburg has a high rate of citizens with cardiovascular problems,” notes Linda Lucas, CHAP+AP Coordinator. “Since hypertension (high blood pressure) is a leading cause of stroke and heart attacks, it’s important that people learn about their blood pressure-a key element in maintaining good cardiac health,” Lucas notes.

CHAP+AP has entrusted VHA Home HealthCare and Chatham-Kent District Stroke Centre to administer the program in Wallaceburg. A grant provided by the Ministry of Health Promotion’s Cardiovascular Health Awareness Management Program makes the local clinics possible. The District Stroke Centre also offers cardiac clinics every Thursday morning and TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack) clinics every Thursday afternoon at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance’s Sydenham Campus.

“Chatham-Kent District Stroke Centre and VHA Home HealthCare strongly support the CHAP+AP clinics and encourage adults to participate. These sessions are created to detect fluctuating hypertension and other stroke risks factors that when identified and treated early, could save lives,” said Laurie Zimmer, District Stroke Centre Co-ordinator. “Better management of high blood pressure through lifestyle changes or medication can reduce the risk of having a stroke by up to 38 per cent,” she added.

Attending a CHAP+AP clinic
Participants will be provided with patient information, a questionnaire and a consent form. Participants will have their blood pressure measured and will complete a cardiovascular risk factor profile and are encouraged to attend more than one session. The program also offers a web-based tool to help identify and manage modifiable risk factors like dietary choices and level of activity. A registered nurse will be on-call in case a participant’s blood pressure indicates very high risk or the patient feels unwell during a session.

Clinics are being offered at the following times and locations:

May 13, 2009
9:30 am – 12:00 pm
Shoppers Drug Mart, Wallaceburg

May 20, 2009
8:00 am – 10:00 am
Wallaceburg Centre for Seniors

May 27, 2009
9:30 am – 12:00 pm
Shoppers Drug Mart, Wallaceburg

June 10, 2009
9:30 am – 12:00 pm
Shoppers Drug Mart, Wallaceburg

June 17, 2009
8:00 am – 10:00 am
Wallaceburg Centre for Seniors

June 24, 2009
9:30 am – 12:00 pm
Shoppers Drug Mart. Wallaceburg

July 15, 2009
8:00 am – 10:00 am
Wallaceburg Centre for Seniors
Seeking Volunteers

Volunteers play a crucial role in the success of CHAP+AP sessions. Organizers are seeking adult volunteers to help assist with local clinics. If you are interested in supporting this worthy program, please contact Linda Lucas at (519) 351-4414 x5743.

About CHAP+AP
The Cardiovascular Health Awareness + Action Plan (CHAP+AP) is designed to support prevention of cardiovascular disease and stroke in communities. The program relies on the participation of family physicians, pharmacists, RNs, RPNs, trained volunteers, community organizations and adults. Adults are invited to attend one or more volunteer led sessions in local pharmacies for cardiovascular risk assessment including blood pressure monitoring.