ABOUT LOVE YOUR HEART
Love Your Heart is an annual event in which organizations from across the U.S. and Mexico join together to provide FREE blood pressure screenings to the public on or near Valentine's Day. The event brings together community partners to prevent heart disease and stroke and empowers the public to take control of their heart health, know their blood pressure numbers, and know what they mean.
The 2022 event had over 46,400 participants screened online and in-person at 287 sites across the U.S. and Mexico, with over 6,000 blood pressure cuffs distributed across San Diego County.
Heart Attack vs. Cardiac Arrest?
People often use these terms interchangeably, but they're not the same. A heart attack is when blood flow to the heart is blocked. Sudden cardiac arrest is when the heart malfunctions and suddenly stops beating.
1. Apply to Host a Screening Site
Organizations from every sector - business, healthcare, education, non-profit, faith-based – are needed to host blood pressure screening sites for the public or for their own clients and employees.
However, only sites that can provide their own certified medical personnel may apply at this time.
2. Submit a Volunteer Interest Form
We are looking for both general volunteers and certified medical workers, such as doctors, pharmacists, dentists, nurses, firefighters, paramedics, or other credentialed individual who is trained in taking blood pressure readings manually.
As a Medical Volunteer, you will be assigned to support a Love Your Heart screening site within San Diego County by conducting blood pressure screenings. As a General Volunteer, you will be assigned to support a site by encouraging participants to get their blood pressure checked and assisting with check-in and data entry. Most sites are active between 8am-5pm, though shorter shifts may be assigned.
3. Learn About High Blood Pressure
Learn about your blood pressure results and what you can do to improve them in our Love Your Heart @ Home Education section. Our goal is to help prevent heart disease and stroke and help YOU take control of your heart health.
Remember to follow-up with your doctor! Make an appointment with your doctor to get your blood pressure re-checked. While you're there, have your home blood pressure cuff calibrated by a nurse to ensure your readings are correct.
