‘...it could be fatal’: Wisewoman program teaches Mercer County women risks, signs of hypertension

PRINCETON, W.Va. (WVVA) -Hypertension or high blood pressure is known as the “silent killer” in the United States.

The state of West Virginia is ranked first in the nation for heart attacks and seventh in the country for strokes.

That’s why the Marshall University WV Wisewoman Program partnered with Dabs Country Cooking on Mercer Street to bring better knowledge of hypertension to women in our area.

The Wisewoman Program allows for woman to get free screenings, blood pressure checks, and much more.

Women at the event learned about different symptoms and tips to better understand their health, as well as some of the paths to take to get the help they may need.

“I believe that knowledge is power and with this episode, this event we’re trying to empower women to give them the information they know, to be in charge of their health and to recognize when things are not going as well as they should, something may be changing in their body and they don’t just say, well, it’s probably just my nerves. They’re going to need to address those things,” said Karen Bailey, RN and Nurse Practitioner in WV.

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the nation, according to the CDC, one person dies every 33 seconds from CVD.

In 2020, 1 in 5 adults who died from CVD were younger than 65 years old.

The director of the program explains how crucial knowledge is when it comes to health, sometimes literally being the difference between life and death.

“Before you don’t know your status, it could be fatal. If you don’t know your blood pressure, which can lead to stroke, heart attack, and, and you could succumb from the disease,” said Ladawna Walker Dean, Director of WV Minority Health Initiative.

While the statistics can be scary, knowing the symptoms and what questions to ask can save your life.

Bailey recommends speaking to your primary health provider about your overall health, as well as having conversations with your family.
Understanding family histories can play a crucial role when it comes to better understanding your health.

“They’re going to need to address those things. But talk to your provider. That’s probably the simplest and easiest thing for most of us to do, is sit down and talk to our provider. Whether that be a physician, a physician’s assistant, or a nurse practitioner. Let that person know what your concerns are,” said Bailey.

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