Emma Bougard, a retired FedEx customs specialist, knows firsthand why blood pressure is important. A year ago, she visited ShelbyCares on 3rd for the first time, and was shocked to learn she had high blood pressure.
“I could not believe it,” recalls Bougard, who felt perfectly healthy at the time. “It was a little scary.”
It is not unusual for high blood pressure, a serious health problem that increases the risk of heart disease, to go undetected. Once Bougard learned she had it, she was determined to bring her numbers down.
Since then, working with ShelbyCares health coaches, she has learned and practices healthy cooking, has begun walking 1 to 2 miles each weekday, lost weight, and most importantly, brought her blood pressure down to normal levels.
“It was lifestyle changing. ShelbyCares got me back out there on the walking paths,” she says. “Now I feel better, and I want to live better.”
ShelbyCares on 3rd, located at 3358 S. 3rd Street, is a partnership between the UT Health Science Center College of Medicine and Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris’s office. It serves the surrounding South Memphis area with free screenings, referrals to doctors, and a full calendar of classes including chair yoga and tobacco cessation.
Bougard was one of 300-plus people who attended the recent Blood Pressure Bonanza Bash at ShelbyCares on 3rd to learn more about why blood pressure matters. ShelbyCares staff and volunteers checked the blood pressure of dozens of attendees and gave away 150 home blood pressure monitors with instructions, so they can monitor their pressure at home.
“I was very pleased with the turnout,” says Susie Suttle, administrator of the UTHSC Health Hubs. “All of our classes that day were full and very interactive, and those present asked a lot of questions.” Since then, at least 10 people who attended the event have been back to ShelbyCares for health coaching.
The Blood Pressure Bonanza Bash event focused on education, with College of Medicine Associate Professor Austin Dalgo, MD, speaking about the importance of blood pressure control and others discussing how blood pressure affects heart health and how to employ lifesaving First Aid methods, such as CPR. In addition, 26 vendors were on hand, including the Shelby County Department of Health, ShotRX, Dedicated Senior Medical Center, and Latino Memphis.
Bougard would like to see more people from the event experience ShelbyCares on 3rd.
“Everyone needs this, and it’s free. I love this place and the people here. They encourage you, and they are always smiling.”
Since opening , ShelbyCares has had over 2,800 client visits and served more than 500 Shelby County residents at high risk for heart disease.
For more information visit shelbycares.co or call ShelbyCares on 3rd at 901.488.8200.
