Leading Hypertension Organization Helps to Restore Hope and Heart Health in the Aftermath of Katrina
Community Outreach Program in New Orleans Helps Detect Hypertension

NEW ORLEANS, May 10, 2008– Thousands of New Orleans residents are expected to roll up their sleeves and get pumped up for the Hypertension Health Festival at the French Market today. As part of a volunteer effort by members of the American Society of Hypertension, doctors will bring awareness and detection of hypertension to what is now a medically under-served community.

Indeed, some 72 million Americans have high blood pressure, which can cause stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, congestive heart failure, and diabetes. To address this problem, the American Society of Hypertension (ASH) will launch a pilot public health initiative to provide free comprehensive cholesterol and blood pressure screenings to the residents of New Orleans, many of whom are poor, uninsured, obese or African American, which puts them at a higher risk for hypertension.

“Once known as the ‘silent killer,’ hypertension rates are on the rise in cities around the country,” said Suzanne Oparil MD, president of the American Society of Hypertension, Professor of Medicine at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. “ASH recognizes that this is an alarming epidemic that needs immediate attention through community-based interventions.”

The Hypertension Health Festival in the French Market kicks off a series of events during the week of May 10-17, when ASH holds its annual scientific meeting in New Orleans. In addition to free screenings, participants will have the opportunity to consult with national hypertension experts and local nutrition, fitness and cooking specialists to learn ways to make lifestyle changes to prevent or minimize their risk of hypertension. Over a thousand people are expected to participate and hopefully get screened. Dr. Sandra Robinson, Deputy Director, New Orleans Health Dept, The Honorable James Carter, Councilmember District D/FMC Board Member and The Honorable Cynthia Hedge Morrell, Councilmember District D/FMC Board Member are all scheduled to attend the festival.

Other events include an assembly at a local public high school, where Dr. Keith Ferdinand, clinical cardiologist and ASH Board Member will teach students about the factors that influence heart disease including genetics, obesity, lack of exercise, smoking, excessive sodium intake and over-consumption of alcohol. At the assembly, students will learn how to take their own blood pressure readings, and learn how to take control of their health as they enter adulthood.

While many medical centers devastated by the floodwaters remain shuttered, referrals to ten participating clinics will be available to patients who are screened and who need to receive follow up care. One of the participating clinics is the Lower 9th Ward Health Clinic, which used to be Patricia Berryhill's house, until the nurse turned her home into a clinic. Another clinic that's participating in this program is the St. Thomas Community Health Center. Since Katrina, Charity Hospital system has closed, leaving a big gap in the city's medical system. The St. Thomas clinic has helped to close that gap, creating a model for providing colorblind medical care to the uninsured in New Orleans and potentially nationwide.

“The number two complaint people in New Orleans have when they get treatment at clinics is cardiovascular-related, with mental health as number one, said Dr. Keith Ferdinand, Clinical Professor, Cardiology Division, Emory University and ASH Board Member. “Fortunately, the severe consequences of hypertension can be avoided with early detection, lifestyle and dietary changes and appropriate treatment.”

As part of the initiative, ASH's Hypertension Experts are working with ten clinics to educate doctors about treating hypertension, especially for those hard to treat cases. That way, even after the week long Community Outreach Initiative is over, the primary care doctors in these clinics are well-equipped to treat patients. Members of ASH are also trying to get free generic drugs for patients and are working as "matchmakers" to pair up local hypertension specialists with the health clinics even after this week long initiative is over.

About the American Society of Hypertension Inaugural Community Outreach Initiative

The ASH Outreach Initiative is comprised of six (6) separate components, briefly described below, which, in tandem, will serve to educate and positively impact the lifestyle factors and overall health of approximately 3,500 individuals. From child, to adolescent, to senior citizen, the initiative will reach and teach those in the neighborhoods of New Orleans that are in need, and who are affected by high blood pressure’s ramifications.

Saturday, May 10, 2008, from 7:30 AM to 3 PM, ASH will kick-off with the Hypertension Health Festival. Locals and national visitors will be provided with their own current health measures (blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol), a clearly-defined understanding of the precise amount of exercise to strive for (10,000 steps per day) to achieve controlled blood pressure and good health, free samples of a full day's servings of fruits and vegetables from the historic and Newly Renovated French Market and some tools required (pedometer, home blood pressure device) to apply the knowledge gained.

Monday, May 12, 2008, from 10 AM to 11:30 AM, ASH will visit the New Orleans High School of Science and Math and present to high school sophomores and juniors the importance of how sound dietary practices and an active lifestyle are solid measures that can be taken to preserve health and delay or prevent hypertension.

Monday, May 12, 2008, from 2 PM to 3:30 PM, ASH will hold a Hypertension Community Health Forum at the St. Thomas Clinic where local ministers, clergy and government representatives will be part of a provocative panel discussion. ASH strives to keep medical professionals abreast of current hypertension treatment protocols and stresses the urgency of treating hypertension immediately and effectively.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008, from 9 AM to 12 Noon, the Hypertension Health Festival will be taken to The Central City Senior Center where ASH will reach out to senior citizens from the surrounding six senior centers, offering screenings as well as physical and nutritional instruction tailored to their specific needs.

Saturday, May 17, 2008, from 9 AM to 12 Noon, educational initiatives will be brought to New Orleans community children and their families at the Martin Luther King Charter School. ASH will hold blood pressure screenings for people in the local communities and provide information about fitness and nutrition to those who attend. ASH will distribute giveaways including fruits and vegetables, pedometers, blood pressure home units (with children’s cuffs) and jump ropes.

Finally, to further establish a powerful impact amongst New Orleans medical professionals, leading hypertension specialists will visit 10-12 local clinics throughout the week of Monday May 11, 2008 to Saturday, May 17, 2008 to engage in discussion and offer effective strategies focused specifically on hypertensive patient whose blood pressure is difficult to control. They will also offer grand rounds and In – Service Updates to the local medical schools in New Orleans.

About the American Society of Hypertension

The American Society of Hypertension (ASH) is the largest US organization devoted exclusively to hypertension and related cardiovascular diseases. ASH is committed to alerting physicians, allied health professionals and the public about new medical options, facts, research findings and treatment choices designed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.