The Summit Area YMCA is observing Blood Pressure Awareness Month with a goal of performing at least 200 free blood pressure screenings.

Since 1984, May has been proclaimed as National Blood Pressure Awareness Month in the United States. The official motto of the blood pressure awareness initiative is "know your numbers". 

According to the American Heart Association about 73 million Americans age 20 and older have elevated blood pressure and in 2004 54,707 people in the United States died from complications from hypertension (high blood pressure).

The Center for Disease Control reports that almost one third of those individuals with high blood pressure don’t know they have it.

The Summit YMCA is making it easier to know your numbers. Throughout the month of May free blood pressure screenings will occur at all 4 branches of the Association. These screenings will take place at the following times; 

Summit YMCA, 67 Maple Street

Tuesday May 27, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm (by Summit First Aid Squad)

Springfield YMCA, 100 S. Springfield Avenue

May 29, from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.

In addition to the screenings, educational material focusing on the prevention of high blood pressure will be available at all four Summit Area YMCA branches during the month of May. These screenings are free and open to the community.

For further information please contact Sue Fieseler,

Summit Area YMCA Community Wellness Director, at 908-273-3330 ext 167.