Free Blood Pressure “Cheat Sheet” Link Below!
(Wise, Va.) — The Health Wagon is grateful to announce the receipt of 30 blood pressure monitors donated by the American Heart Association to support patient care and ongoing efforts to improve heart health across Central Appalachia. The donation was made possible thanks to an American Heart Association sponsorship from AEP (American Electric Power).
This generous donation strengthens The Health Wagon’s mission to provide high-quality, compassionate healthcare to underserved and underinsured individuals. Blood pressure monitoring is a critical component in the prevention and management of heart disease, and access to appropriate tools can help providers better evaluate and support patients with hypertension and related conditions.
“The American Heart Association’s partnership and support are deeply appreciated,” said Dr. Teresa Tyson, DNP, FNP-BC, President and CEO of The Health Wagon. “This donation
enhances our ability to deliver comprehensive, provider-directed care and reinforces the importance of early detection, education, and management of high blood pressure.”
The monitors will be used as part of provider-directed care plans following clinical evaluation. By integrating these tools into medical visits, Health Wagon providers can better educate patients, assess blood pressure control, and guide appropriate next steps in treatment and lifestyle modification.
“Establishing a self-monitored blood pressure initiative for patients ensures that we are meeting patients where they are, especially in our rural communities,” said Paula Wallace, Community Impact Manager, Blue Ridge Virginia, American Heart Association. “Transportation can often be an obstacle and barrier in chronic disease treatment, so providing patients access to blood pressure devices at home allows them to follow through with hypertension treatment guided by their physician.”
“The Health Wagon extends sincere thanks to the American Heart Association for its continued commitment to improving cardiovascular health and reducing health disparities in rural and underserved communities,” said Dr. Paula Hill-Collins, DNP, FNP-BC, Clinical Director.
For a free, downloadable blood pressure “cheat sheet” please visit thehealthwagon.org/bptracker.
For more information about The Health Wagon and its services, visit https://thehealthwagon.org/ or follow The Health Wagon on social media.
About the Health Wagon:
The Health Wagon is a nurse practitioner managed clinic that has been in existence since 1980 which provides free medical, vision and health care services along with sliding scale dental care services in Southwest Va. For more information about The Health Wagon, please call 276-328-8850 or visit www.thehealthwagon.org. If you would like to donate to the Health Wagon, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, please visit: www.thehealthwagon.org/donate.
Photo Caption:
Heart Health L-R: Dr. Joe Smiddy and Teresa Tyson, CEO, DNP, of The Health Wagon, Paula Wallace with American Red Cross and Paula Hill-Collins, VP, DNP, with the Health Wagon display the recent gift of blood pressure monitors to be used in ongoing heart health efforts in Appalachia.