ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – With it being Heart Health Month, Huddle Up Moms wants to bring attention to maternal heart health with its program ‘Moms Under Pressure.’
Throughout February, Huddle Up Moms will welcome different weekly guest speakers on social media to discuss and provide education about heart health.
Weekly talks will include discussions on heart health, focusing on topics like prevention and screenings, nutrition, fitness, wellness, and more.
Special guests will include:
- ZaKia Wichowski, Community Health Worker from Mary Washington Healthcare in Fredericksburg
- Amanda Armstrong, Nutrition Education Facilitator from Virginia Cooperative Extension
- Diane Simmons, from Simply Fitness by Diane in Roanoke
- Kelly Wingerter, MD, FACC and Assistant Professor of Medicine Cardiovascular Division from UVA.
The program is a community health intervention to support pregnant and postpartum moms with hypertensive disorders like preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome, and gestational hypertension.
The Moms Under Pressure program is available across Virginia including Roanoke, Petersburg, Richmond, Stanton, Hampton Roads, and Martinsville and will be expanding to other communities across the state of Virginia.
The program provides resources for monitoring and managing blood pressure to ensure a healthy pregnancy. Women who enroll will also receive a diaper bag, blood pressure self-measuring kit, and care coordination and navigation services to find local health promotion resources.
Moms Under Pressure is in partnership with Bon Secours – St. Mary’s Hospital, Riverside Medical Center, Augusta Health, Lewis Gale Midwives, and 12 community-based organizations.
It is funded through CDC Cooperative Agreement in partnership with the Virginia Department of Health, as part of the Virginia Healthy Hearts Initiative. It combines state and local partners to give evidence-based strategies for improving blood pressure control, reducing disparities in cardiovascular disease, and connecting communities to clinical and social services.
“We are thrilled to offer this vital program to our community,” said Natasha Saunders, Program Director of Moms Under Pressure. “Our goal is to provide pregnant and birthing persons with the tools and support they need to manage their blood pressure and ensure a healthier pregnancy journey.”
Roanoke-based families are also invited to a workshop on March 1 with Dr. Kiyah Duffy, a nationally renowned expert on creating healthy eating habits for your family and children.
To register or learn more about Moms Under Pressure, visit www.huddleupmoms.org.