As of 2023, 1.7 million Kentuckians are living with high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. This puts more than a million Kentuckians at increased risk for heart disease, heart attacks, and stroke. While some risk factors for developing high blood pressure are outside of our control, there are many steps you can take to reduce your risk. For example, there are many small changes you can make to your diet that have a big impact on blood pressure.

To address this concern and increase knowledge regarding high blood pressure, the Kenton County Cooperative Extension Service hosted the Food as Health for High Blood Pressure workshop with eight men and women participating. The goal of this interactive program was to increase self-efficacy in making food choices for the prevention and management of high blood pressure.

Program evaluations were collected immediately following the workshop. 100% of participants shared they could explain how food choices affect blood pressure. Specifically, 100% of participants reported they could identify foods to choose more often for blood pressure management, while 100% of participants shared, they could identify foods to choose less often for blood pressure management. 99% of participants reported intentions to make small changes to lower the amount of sodium in the diet and 100% shared they intended to use the Nutrition Facts label to compare sodium in foods.

Participants shared that some food that were high is sodium surprised them, that they were now more aware of how food could effect your health.