Martin's Point to Offer High Blood Pressure Course

Classes scheduled Oct. 12, 19 and 26 at Martin's Point facility in Portland

Martin's Point Health Care is offering a course titled "Managing Your High Blood Pressure" on three Thursdays in October. Participants will learn how to monitor their blood pressure at home, and will receive a digital monitor. Self-management strategies for diet, stress management, and exercise will also be covered.

The course will be held Oct. 12, 19 and 26, from noon to 1 p.m., at the Martin's Point Health Education Center at 331 Veranda St. in Portland. The program costs $35. To register or receive more information, call 828-2497.

"One out of four people in the U.S. has high blood pressure," said Certified Health Education Specialist Leigh Kirchner, who will teach the course. "Many people don't know they have high blood pressure, and many of those who do know are unaware of how dangerous it can be. High blood pressure is a factor in heart and kidney disease, and is associated with vascular changes leading to blindness. High blood pressure can be controlled, and if you make the right kinds of lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, you may be able to delay or even prevent drug treatment."

Martin's Point Health Care's Health Education Center in Portland offers a full range of programs open to the public, including health, nutrition, safety and community wellness classes. Established in 1981, Martin's Point is now Maine's largest health care practice, employing 290 healthcare professionals who serve more than 44,000 patients at clinics in Portland, Windham, Brunswick and Newington, N.H. in the areas of family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, radiology, cardiology, mammography and other fields.

Martin's Point has attracted widespread attention for its high-tech initiatives, including a robot to assist in dispensing prescriptions, and Patients Personal Points, a free, Internet-based service that allows patients to use their computers to communicate by a secure server with their doctors to schedule appointments, ask advice, and obtain prescription refills. Patients Personal Points recently won a national technology award from the Healthcare Innovations in Technology Systems (HITS) "Partnership in Technology" national awards program.

Headquartered in Portland at 331 Veranda St., Martin's Point accepts all major health plans and insurance, including but not limited to HealthSource, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Harvard Community Health Plan, Maine Partners, Champus, Tricare, Aetna, Cigna and NYLCare Plans.

For more information about Martin's Point Health Care, its physicians, or program offerings, visit the Martin's Point website at www.martinspoint.org.

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