blood pressure Archives

RHHD Encourages Community Members to Learn the Signs and Symptoms of a Stroke

May 11, 2026
Media Contact: Bryan Hooten, 804-807-1727, bryan.hooten@vdh.virginia.gov

RHHD Encourages Community Members to Learn the Signs and Symptoms of a Stroke
May is American Stroke Month

RICHMOND, Va. —Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) encourage community members to learn the signs and symptoms of a stroke. Strokes happen when something blocks blood flow to the brain or a blood vessel in the brain bursts—it’s sometimes called a “brain attack” for this reason. Strokes are the fourth leading cause of death in Virginia (behind cancer, heart disease, and accidents). May is American Stroke Month.

“You can save a life by learning the signs and symptoms of a stroke,” said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Director Dr. Elaine Perry. “The sooner someone gets medical care after a stroke, the better chance they have of recovery.”

People experiencing a stroke need quick, professional medical care. The most important step you can take to help is calling 911 as soon as you spot the signs and symptoms of a stroke. RHHD recommends this helpful phrase for remembering the signs and symptoms of a stroke: BE FAST.

Balance (loss of balance, headaches, or dizziness)
Eyes (blurred vision)
Face (one side of the face drooping)
Arm (arm or leg weakness)
Speaking (speech difficulty)
Time (call 911 immediately)

Not every person experiencing a stroke will demonstrate all these symptoms, so you should call 911 if you spot any of these symptoms. For more resources, please visit rhhd.gov/stroke-smart.

Flu, RSV, pneumococcal, and shingles vaccines have been linked to reduced risk of stroke and other cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory events in older adults.

Visit rhhd.gov for more health and safety information. Follow RHHD on Instagram (@richmondcity_hd) and Facebook.

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The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District Promotes Diabetes Prevention During National Kidney Month

March 11, 2026
Media Contact: Dr. Zelalem Attlee, Zelalem.Attlee@vdh.virginia.gov.

Protect Your Body’s Engine
The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District Promotes Diabetes Prevention During National Kidney Month

WARRENTON, Va. – If you think about your body as a car, your kidneys would be your oil filter and fuel pump combined. Just as a car needs clean oil to keep the engine from seizing up, your body needs the kidneys to constantly clean your blood. They remove waste and toxins, so your other organs run smoothly. Kidneys also maintain the right fluid balance and pressure so blood flows properly. Diabetes is like putting the wrong fuel in your car year after year. Eventually the damage catches up to you.

March is National Kidney Month, and the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District is reminding residents that preventing diabetes is one of the most important things you can do to protect your kidney health.

“Your kidneys are essential to keeping your body running strong, and preventing diabetes is one of the best ways to protect them,” said Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District Director J. Carr, M.D. “During National Kidney Month, we encourage everyone to take small steps, like healthy eating, staying active, and regular checkups, to keep their body’s engine running for years to come.”

In the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District, 9.8-11.8% of adults have been diagnosed with diabetes. One in four Virginians has diabetes and doesn’t know it. More than two million adults in Virginia have prediabetes.

The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District aims to educate and support individuals with diabetes, prediabetes and their families through a variety of programs and partnerships.

You can also click to find a Diabetes Prevention Program or Diabetes Self-Management class near you.

These programs often focus on weight loss and activity, which lowers blood pressure. Like preventing your car from overheating, lowering your blood pressure will prevent the lines from bursting and causing permanent kidney damage.

Don’t wait for a warning light. Schedule your annual exam with your healthcare provider today. Take the risk test and protect your engine for the long haul.

The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District is here to make your ride as smooth as possible. If you have questions, contact us at www.rrhd.org.

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Chesterfield Health District Shares the Importance of Blood Pressure Screening

February 13, 2026

Media Contact: Kristy Fowler, kristy.fowler@vdh.virginia.gov

Chesterfield Health District Shares the Importance of Blood Pressure Screening
February is American Heart Month

Chesterfield, Va. – February is American Heart Month. Chesterfield Health District reminds you to make sure you know your blood pressure numbers to prevent your risk of heart disease and stroke. Heart disease is the number one cause of death in Virginia. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

“Heart disease in the central health region is slightly more prevalent than the state average,” said Dr. Alexander Samuel, the Chesterfield Health District Director.

While health departments don’t normally see patients for chronic conditions, every nurse checks blood pressure as part of patient visits for maternity, sexual health, or immunization visits.

Chesterfield Health District reported access to health care as a priority in its 2023 community health assessment. As a result, one of the initiatives in the 2025 community health improvement plan is to establish a blood pressure self-monitoring program to reach the people in our community that experience difficulty accessing health care.

My Blood Pressure, My Health is that resource:

A four-month, evidence-based coaching program focusing on home blood pressure monitoring and nutrition education.
The program serves low-income adults in Chesterfield who are currently experiencing high blood pressure.
Participants commit to monthly education, twice-monthly check-ins, and measuring, tracking and reporting their blood pressure at home.
Once enrolled, participants receive a complimentary blood pressure monitor and cuff.

“It has been wonderful to see how participants are learning more and becoming more engaged in monitoring their own health,” Richard Siefring, a My Blood Pressure, My Health coach said. “We still have openings available for people with high blood pressure.”

The American Journal of Preventive Medicine reports that home blood pressure monitoring is more convenient and effective in diagnosing and managing high blood pressure. People are more relaxed in the comfort of their own home and often have lower blood pressure than when taken in a clinical setting.

My Blood Pressure, My Health is made possible by a grant from the Jenkins Foundation. To see if you qualify for My Blood Pressure, My Health, contact the Chesterfield Health Department at 804-762-1573.

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Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Encourage Community Members to Prioritize Heart Health

February 2, 2026
Media Contact: Bryan Hooten, 804-807-1727, bryan.hooten@vdh.virginia.gov

Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Encourage Community Members to Prioritize Heart Health
February is American Heart Month

RICHMOND, Va. – In honor of American Heart Month, Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) encourage you to take action to prioritize heart health.

“Heart health continues to be one of the top areas of health focus in our community,” said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Community Health Nurse Supervisor Virginia Slattum. “Our 2024 Community Health Assessment showed that Richmond and Henrico residents and community partners see chronic disease as a top health priority. We look forward to continuing this collaboration to support heart health in the region. We encourage folks to promote their own heart health by quitting smoking, getting regular physical exercise, and eating heart-healthy foods.”

Heart disease data

Virginia Department of Health (VDH) chronic disease data from 2023 show that Richmond City and Henrico County had hospitalization and death rates for cardiovascular disease higher than statewide rates. According to CDC data from 2023, heart disease was the leading cause of death in Virginia, Richmond City, and Henrico County.

RHHD offers the following tips for choosing heart-healthy foods and activities:

Check your blood pressure. Read more about ways to prevent and manage high blood pressure. Here are some helpful tips for talking with a doctor to manage and check your blood pressure. You can also measure and track your blood pressure at home.
Take steps to quit smoking by contacting RHHD’s Free From Tobacco program on the web or by calling 804-482-8018. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) offers Quit Now Virginia, which includes free telephone or web-based counseling services, Text2Quit support, self-help materials, and referrals to local resources. Call 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669) or learn more at the Quit Now Virginia Website.
Choose healthy meals and snacks. Include plenty of fruit and vegetables in your diet and choose foods lower in sodium and saturated fat. Try heart-healthy recipes from the American Heart Association.
Make physical activity a regular part of your day. Adults should get at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. This type of exercise could be a brisk walk, running, or bicycling. Learn more about ways to increase your physical activity throughout the day.
Get vaccinated. Flu, RSV, and pneumococcal vaccines have been linked to reduced risk of cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory events in older adults. Adults over 65 and people with chronic conditions are particularly susceptible to severe complications from these illnesses. According to the American Heart Association, nearly half American adults live with some type of cardiovascular disease and are more likely to experience severe illness that may result in hospitalization or death.

Healthy Hearts Initiative

As part of the VDH Healthy Hearts Initiative, RHHD Cardiovascular Health Community Health Workers support community members with hypertensive conditions by providing:

Connections to primary care providers
Nutrition and exercise education
Blood pressure monitoring

Community members can visit rhhd.gov/connect-pc to find local primary care providers. Community members can visit rhhd.gov for more health and safety information.

Visit rhhd.gov for more health and safety information. Follow RHHD on Instagram (@richmondcity_hd) and Facebook.

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Crater Health District and Dinwiddie County to Host Open House and Health Fair Event

September 17, 2024
Media Contact: Tara Rose, Tara.Rose@vdh.virginia.gov

Crater Health District and Dinwiddie County to Host Open House and Health Fair Event

DINWIDDIE, Va. — The Virginia Department of Health’s Crater Health District (CHD) and Dinwiddie Parks and Recreation Department partnered to present the Ragsdale Community Center Open House & Health Fair. The event will be held on Saturday, September 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ragsdale Community Center, located at 20916 Old School Road in McKenney.

CHD encourages the community to visit the open house to connect with community resources and take advantage of on-site health screenings and vaccinations. The event will feature glucose screenings, flu vaccines, and blood pressure checks provided by Central Virginia Health Services and CHD.

“Our CHD staff and Dinwiddie community partners look forward to providing important health services and information promoting healthy living,” said Crater District Health Director Alton Hart, Jr., MD, MPH. “We invite everyone from Dinwiddie County to visit the newest facility and join us at this community event featuring entertainment and valuable resources.”

Dinwiddie Public Schools Transportation has partnered to provide transportation for the event. The buses will be picking up community members from two locations: Southside Elementary School located at 10305 Boydton Plank Road in Dinwiddie and Dinwiddie High School located at 11501 Boisseau Road in Dinwiddie. Pick-up begins at 10 a.m. with the bus leaving promptly at 10:30 a.m. The buses will arrive at the schools for drop off at 2 p.m. To pre-register, people can visit: redcap.link/r42zn3md .

“We are excited to rebrand our newest Recreation Building, Ragsdale Community Center, by having an open house. We are especially happy to partner with VDH-Crater Health District on this event. We want this to be a big showing for citizens to see Ragsdale’s amenities, our program offerings, show off our grand staff, and most importantly, get our community healthy by providing health screenings on-site,” said Quinell Henderson, director of Dinwiddie County Parks & Recreation.

The event will feature many family-friendly activities, community resources, food trucks, and the Justin J. Davis Heart Foundation will provide free produce and groceries.

For more information please contact Lorenzo Bradley Jr. at 804-478-6146 Ext. 8007 about the Open House and Melissa Perez Diggs 804-382-2667 for Health Fair information.

To learn more about CHD, please visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/crater and our community partners Dinwiddie Parks and Recreation.

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