Health Promotions Hosts Blood Pressure Clinic

NAPLES, Italy (NNS) -- Service members and their families visiting the Navy Exchange food court on Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples had a chance to check their blood pressure, Feb. 23 at the High Blood Pressure Clinic.

The clinic was hosted by Health Promotions, a department within the United States Naval Hospital (USNH) Naples dedicated to raising awareness about personal health, as part of their Heart Health Month for the month of February.

The clinic provided service members and their families with information on the heart and the effects of high blood pressure on the human body in addition to a check of the participant's blood pressure.

"The clinic has been a great success with a large turnout and participation," said Silva Murray, Health Promotions manager. "Already they are making a difference."

A couple of people who participated discovered that they did in fact have high blood pressure, added Murray.
Along with Murray, Hospitalman Ronald Chavarria, a dental lab technician at USNH Naples, also volunteered his free time on Saturday for the clinic.

"It's been good. Meeting new people, making them aware, giving tips, and seeing the expressions on their faces when you tell them about blood pressure," said Chavarria. "It's a good feeling."

"I was just passing through, but I had no idea about all this," said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class (FMF) Edwardo Morales. "It really opens your eyes to what can affect you."

Health Promotions, currently run by Murray and Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Antoine Giacometti, promotes a new health topic to raise awareness among the NSA community and next month is national nutrition month.

"Making a difference, that's what's most important," Murray said. "Teaching people about high blood pressure and the number and type of causes, so they can make informed decisions, because a lot of them didn't know."

For more information about Health Promotions, call 629-6445 or visit napleshealthpromotions@med.navy.mil.