Community Health Partners is bringing preventive care to the public through its new mobile health clinic, offering free screenings for high blood pressure. The aim is to catch issues early so people can get treatment before conditions escalate, keeping community members healthier and reducing visits to crowded emergency departments. 

High blood pressure can lead to heart disease, stroke

Dr. Ali Fayed, primary care physician with Community Health Partners, says it’s important to raise awareness, especially in areas where access to healthcare may be limited.

“You'd be surprised how many people have high blood pressure and they're not aware of it,” said Dr. Fayed. “And that, obviously, can cause problems in the longer term for them.”

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is known as “the silent killer” because it typically doesn’t show symptoms. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that nearly half of all adults living in the U.S. have high blood pressure.

“Blood pressure issues can have significant consequences,” said Dr. Fayed. “High blood pressure or hypertension is one of the most common reasons for cardiovascular disease, congestive heart failure, strokes, kidney disease and chronic kidney disease.”

Providing preventive care to help make the Central Valley healthier

The mobile clinic launched in March and serves various areas of Fresno, with plans to expand to rural communities experiencing limited access to healthcare. This is just one way the Community Health Partners is serving the region. The medical foundation has more than 500 primary and specialty care providers and clinics across the Central Valley to care for patients at every stage of life. 

Connecting people with care before problems arise is part of The Cause, Community’s action plan for making the Central Valley healthier. Find more information on our website about the mobile health clinic.