A number of visitors to the Clinton County Fair, including (seated, left) Kim Hegger of Aviston, took advantage of the blood pressure screening offered by St. Joseph's Hospital in Breese. On this evening, Barb Voss (seated, right) of the hospital's Specialty Clinics, was in charge of the screenings while Community Relations Assistant Stacy Albers (not pictured) of Bartelso offered information and accepted entries for the attendance prize drawing. Also volunteering at the fair was Community Education Director Kathie Heimann of Germantown and Community Relations Director Karyn Whitlatch of Breese; the hospital was additionally represented in the Fair Parade. Shirley Hilmes of Aviston won the attendance prize-a cooler with a dozen cans of soda, plates, cups, can coolies, a bowl and a deck of cards. The hospital offers a free blood pressure screening the second Tuesday of each month; the next will be from 8 to 9 a.m. Aug. 14 in the hospital Heritage Room.

St. Joseph-Breese to offer blood pressure check Aug. 14

According to the American Heart Association, the higher the blood pressure, the greater the chance of heart attack, heart failure, stroke and kidney disease. Early identification can prompt lifestyle changes and focused treatment options resulting in less cardiovascular and kidney diseases later in life.

To help identify a potential problem, a free blood pressure check will be offered from 8 to 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 14, in the Heritage Room at St. Joseph's Hospital in Breese. This free screening is repeated the second Tuesday of each month.

At one time, readings in the 140/90 range were acceptable but now, those with a reading of 120 to 139 over 80 to 89 are considered pre-hypertensive, at higher risk and more likely to require medication.

The screening is free and there are no dietary restrictions.

For more information, call 618.526-5353, or kheimann@sjb.hshs.org .