You are cordially invited to two free Empowered Patients' workshops about “Understanding High Blood Pressure” being held at the Boothbay Region Community Center. Part One takes place on Wednesday, Jan. 23 and the second part will be Wednesday, Feb. 13. Both interactive discussion sessions will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. These are set up as "Lunch & Learn" discussion groups. You're welcome to bring your own lunch and to enjoy coffee, tea and desserts courtesy of the Community Center.

Dr. Stephen E. Cook, who has recently joined the professional staff of the Boothbay Region Health Center, will be leading both discussions. He will talk about why high blood pressure (otherwise known as hypertension) is such a health concern. What is blood pressure, why is it important, what are healthy ranges, how should you measure yours, and how often should you measure it?

The group will also discuss what approaches we can take to lower our blood pressure, if it's too high, including diet and exercise, as well as medications.

Participants are encouraged to bring any blood pressure measurement tool you use at home, as well as any records you're already keeping. At the workshops, you'll receive a blood pressure diary you can use, if you don't already have one. You'll have a chance to practice taking your own blood pressure correctly. Participants are encouraged to attend both sessions, but are welcome to come to the second session even if you didn't attend the first one.

The Community Center's Empowered Patients group was started in the fall of 2014. Cook co-founded the group and developed most of the curriculum used in the first two years. The goal of the Empowered Patients group is to help us all be as informed as possible about our own health, and able to collaborate intelligently with our health care providers to maintain and to improve our health. The Empowered Patients group sessions are co-sponsored by the Community Center and the Boothbay Region Health Center. There is no membership requirement, nor fees. It doesn't matter who your primary care provider or specialists are. The goal is for you to have the tools you need to understand and manage your own health, and that of your family members.