The following article was written by HeartCorps Member Sue Koeppe.
Happy New Year to all!! I know how hard it is to live healthier lives. I personally have struggled with my weight and some chronic health conditions my whole life. Let’s start out the new year by getting healthier together!
Everyone dreams of helping their community at one point in their life and this year, my dream has come true! My name is Sue Koeppe and I am a life-long resident of the Lakeshore Community. I grew up with a family of 7 siblings, so I always knew the value of helping others. I live in Two Rivers with my husband, Paul, our daughter, Annalise, dog, Chestnut, and cat, Wolfie. I worked in healthcare for 19 years and I saw the need for community outreach, but I just was not sure how to do it.
I was given the opportunity to volunteer for a wonderful program called HeartCorps. It is a newer program that is funded by grants through the American Heart Association. I honestly was not sure what was all involved with HeartCorps, but now, I have a clear view of their mission!
One part of HeartCorps mission is to increase awareness of blood pressure issues in the community. I am so excited to be collaborating with Manitowoc Public Library this January to start a Blood Pressure Screening Day. I will have blood pressure machines on-hand to show each person how to properly take their blood pressure at home. I will also have handouts available with information on the “numbers” for which we should be striving. Additionally, I will have a list of the area health care options if the numbers don’t look so good!
According to the American Heart Association, high blood pressure is known as the “silent killer”. If you have high blood pressure, your heart must work harder to get blood into the arteries. High blood pressure can lead to heart attacks, stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, and vision loss.
Our choices can make a huge difference with high blood pressure! Healthy diet, healthy weight, no smoking and complying with medication prescriptions are only a few ways we can improve our numbers!
Join me at Manitowoc Public Library on Wednesday, January 8, from 12-noon until 3 PM. You will be able to learn how to take your blood pressure at home and I will have some giveaways for those who participate!!