On the first Monday of each month from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., Phoebe volunteers offer free blood pressure screening in the elevator lobby of the hospital at the main campus. This service is offered to encourage members of the community to be aware of their blood pressure measurement and stay on top of their health.

High blood pressure (hypertension) affects one in four American adults and is considered especially dangerous because it often has no warning signs or symptoms. It forces the heart to work harder to pump blood to the body and it contributes to hardening of the arteries. High blood pressure also increases the risk of heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, heart failure and even blindness.

Once high blood pressure develops, it usually lasts a lifetime, in most cases it can be controlled or prevented by taking action and adopting healthy lifestyle changes. By adopting healthy lifestyle changes dangerous health risks can be lowered and blood pressure medication will have a greater opportunity to work better.

The causes of high blood pressure vary. Causes may include a greater than normal volume of blood, narrowing of the arteries, or the heart beating more forcefully or faster than it should. Any of these conditions will cause increased pressure on the artery walls, which will cause an elevated blood pressure.