The Green Bay Packers and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation have been teaming up this season to tackle high blood pressure by raising community awareness of this chronic disease and educating people on the risks associated with untreated high blood pressure.
The two organizations are urging football fans and the entire Wisconsin community to "Get in the Zone" by setting a blood pressure goal with their doctor and letting The BP Success Zone Program (www.packers.bpsuccesszone.com) help them reach their blood pressure goal. The program from Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation includes comprehensive and customized patient support and education programs in the area of hypertension. People in the program receive information about treatment, education and tailored action plans to help reach blood pressure goals set for them by their health care professionals.
Fans attending Packers games have taken the opportunity to have a free blood pressure screening in the Lambeau Field Atrium. Nearly 1,400 fans have been screened thus far this season.
The team also has partnered with Aurora Pharmacy and Shopko Pharmacy to conduct free blood pressure screenings at their locations. Those who had their blood pressure screened two or more times at these locations, as well as the Lambeau Field Atrium, were entered into a contest with a chance to win a Grand Prize of two tickets to the Packers-Jaguars game, including airfare from Milwaukee and hotel accommodations; a first place prize (eight available) of a pair of tickets to a Green Bay Packers home game; and a second place prize (eight available) of a $25 gift card to the Packers Pro Shop.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 26 percent of surveyed Wisconsin residents were told by a healthcare professional that they had high blood pressure. High blood pressure is one of the most important, but treatable, risk factors for cardiovascular disease - the world's leading cause of death. An estimated 73 million adults in the U.S. - nearly one in three - have high blood pressure, and nearly 40 percent of those who are taking blood pressure medication are not at a goal of less than 140/90 mm Hg.
More information about the program can be found online at www.packers.bpsuccesszone.com. More information about Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation can be found online at www.pharma.us.novartis.com.
