Weld County Urges Prevention As Nearly 3 in 10 Adults Report High Blood Pressure

Weld County health officials are warning residents that nearly 3 in 10 adults have high blood pressure and urging them to enroll in free prevention classes before a heart emergency strikes.

According to the Community Health Survey, 29% of Weld County adults have high blood pressure, the leading cause of heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death nationwide, accounting for roughly 1 in 4 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Prevention helps you catch risks early, before they become a crisis," said Health Education Manager Kelly Martinez. "Knowing your numbers and building better habits now is one of the strongest protections you can give your heart."

To tackle this risk, Weld County offers three free or low-cost prevention programs:

Diabetes Prevention Program: Helps residents reduce type 2 diabetes risk.

Healthy Plate: Teaches healthy cooking and shopping on a budget.

Well Body: A six-week program that teaches residents how to build heart-healthy habits.

The programs let residents identify and manage cardiovascular risks before a crisis hits.

For more information on these and other WCDPHE programs, visit www.weld.gov/go/healthed.