IT'S TIME TO LOVE YOUR HEART ON VALENTINE'S DAY

By Tom Christensen, County of San Diego Communications Office

Video:  County leaders met up with regional officials and community partners to promote "Love Your Heart Day," which lands on February 14. The annual event urges residents to take charge of their health by offering free blood pressure screenings to adults throughout San Diego County. Now in its seventh year, Love Your Heart features screening sites hosted by businesses, public agencies, healthcare and wellness organizations and churches.  Video by James Kecskes

February 7, 2018 (San Diego) - Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to show your heart a little love.

The annual Love Your Heart Day event takes place on Wednesday, Feb. 14 at more than 150 sites in San Diego County and allows adults to get a free blood pressure screening. The event, now in its seventh year, is part of the County of San Diego’s Live Well San Diego vision.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and the second leading cause of death in San Diego County. Obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and a family history of heart disease can put an individual at greater risk of heart disease.

Getting a blood pressure check is a simple step to take for heart health. Last year’s Love Your Heart event helped over 53,000 people get to know their blood pressure numbers and take charge of their own heart health.

More than 5,300 of those screened last year had an elevated blood pressure level and 77 were identified with urgent or emergent hypertension.

The event has grown to include dozens of sites in Arizona, Massachusetts and Mexican states along the U.S. border.

For a list of San Diego County locations, call 2-1-1 or check the interactive map.