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	For Immediate Release July 16, 2009	Contact: Felicia Phillips 215-967-4580
	How Low Can You Go How Low Can You Go? Health Partners Offers Blood Pressure Tests at West Oak Lane Jazz Festival Philadelphia, PA – One in three adults in the United States has high blood pressure, but only two thirds of those are aware they have the disease. Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure has no outward symptoms. It can begin during childhood and lead to serious complications later in life, including heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. Health Partners recently offered community members the opportunity to know their numbers by providing free blood pressure screenings and healthy living information to hundreds at the West Oak Lane Jazz Festival, a three-day event featuring live music and entertainment, arts and crafts and a variety of culinary delights to satisfy any palate. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm) and is broken down into two readings. The first reading is the pressure when the heart is beating. This is called the systolic pressure. The second reading is the pressure between beats, when the heart is at rest. This is called the diastolic pressure. A healthy blood pressure reading for an adult should be less than 120 mm systolic pressure and less than 80 mm diastolic pressure, commonly referred to as, “120 over 80.” “Knowing where you stand is the first step in controlling blood pressure,” says Mary K. Stom, MD, senior vice president of healthcare management and chief medical officer at Health Partners. “Once you know your numbers, you can make choices to get on track and stay healthy.” With regular BP screenings and important lifestyle changes, blood pressure can be kept under control and serious complications can be avoided. Here are some of the best ways to keep blood pressure down: • Quit smoking and limit alcohol use. • Have a low-salt, low-fat diet. • Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods. • Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight. • Look for ways to reduce stress. • Reduce your caffeine intake. • Take blood pressure medication daily if prescribed by your doctor. Photo: Despite the constant rain and gusty winds, the festivities continued in the West Oak Lane section of the city where Health Partners joined hundreds of vendors and thousands of attendees during the annual West Oak Lane Jazz Festival, June 19 - 21. Health Partners provided nearly 200 of its members with diabetes Alc, blood pressure and cholesterol screenings. Health Partners volunteers are seen here presenting one of its member with an incentive for participating in the free health screenings that were offered. (Photography Credit: K.S.N. Images) About Health Partners: Health Partners is the result of a unique collaboration among seven area hospitals to create a not-for-profit health plan for residents of Philadelphia. Since 1985, the company has advanced innovations in managed care. It currently serves 152,000 members in southeastern Pennsylvania and consistently ranks number one in member satisfaction in the area. For more information about Health Partners, please visit www.healthpart.com. ###

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