HomeMy WebLinkAbout020216_Renton-Heart-Month
website: www.rentonwa.gov
City of Renton - 1055 South Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057
February 2, 2016
For more information contact:
John Lecoq, Battalion Chief, Renton Fire and Emergency Services Department, 425-430-7012
Preeti Shridhar, Deputy Public Affairs Administrator, 425-430-6569
February is Renton Heart Month
Annual campaign encourages heart health for citizens, youth
RENTON: Renton’s Heart Month campaign is an annual effort throughout the month of February to reduce
the risk of cardiovascular disease. The 2016 campaign promotes healthy lives free of heart disease throughout
the community, and especially in schools.
In its 11th year, the campaign aims to reduce the rate of uncontrolled high blood pressure, coronary disease,
and stroke by 25%, and eliminate the growth of obesity and diabetes.
In partnership with the Renton School District, emergency medical technicians will visit all Renton schools to
provide health screenings and talk about steps people can take to improve health. This year, the month-long
effort will reach more students than ever before.
“We plan to hit every school, giving more than 3,000 kids direct contact with the fire department.” said Chief
Peterson. “We can have the biggest impact on youth because they have the longest life ahead of them.”
In addition, the city has partnered with Valley Medical Center on a media campaign, and formed partnerships
with several national organizations, including the regional chapter of the American Heart Association, the
Hope Heart Institute and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health. Since the campaign’s inception,
over 58,000 people have had blood pressure and blood sugar levels screened, with over 10,000 citizens
receiving alerts for elevated results.
“I encourage residents to help reduce the risks of heart disease by taking advantage of the free screenings that
are being made available as part of our month-long promotion,” said Peterson. “The screenings only take a
couple of minutes, but those minutes could save your life or the life of a loved one. “
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