The St. Mary’s County Health Department launched the Healthy Hearts Ambassador Blood Pressure Self-Management Program on January 7, 2026, in Leonardtown, Maryland. The free initiative targets adults ages 18 and older in St. Mary’s County who have been diagnosed with high blood pressure or are taking blood pressure medication. It aims to empower participants to manage hypertension through education, monitoring, and support to lower risks of heart disease and stroke.
The program addresses hypertension as a major public health issue in St. Mary’s County, where it affects over 30 percent of adults. Uncontrolled high blood pressure heightens the likelihood of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular conditions. By providing tools for self-management, the initiative enables individuals to maintain healthy blood pressure levels regardless of age.
The inaugural cohort starts January 26, 2026, and spans four months. Participants receive personalized guidance through twice-monthly one-on-one check-ins with a trained Healthy Hearts Ambassador. These sessions cover home blood pressure monitoring, progress tracking, goal-setting, and lifestyle strategies. Additionally, monthly group nutrition sessions address heart-healthy topics, including the DASH diet, sodium reduction, and effective grocery shopping techniques.
Participants gain a free home blood pressure monitor and learn proper measurement and recording methods. The program is evidence-based, designed by the CDC, and excludes those with recent heart attacks (within 12 months), irregular heartbeat, or lymphedema. Registration involves completing an interest survey, with details available at the department’s dedicated page.
The Healthy Hearts Ambassador program contributes to community health in St. Mary’s County by promoting proactive chronic disease management in a rural Southern Maryland area where access to ongoing care can be challenging. Hypertension prevalence in the county stands at over 30 percent, aligning with or exceeding broader Maryland rates (around 35.8 percent statewide in recent data). By offering free, individualized and group-based support, the initiative reduces barriers to education and monitoring, potentially decreasing emergency visits and healthcare costs associated with uncontrolled hypertension.
This effort builds on the department’s broader chronic disease prevention work, complementing programs like diabetes prevention and community health assessments through the Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership. It fosters long-term wellness by equipping residents with practical skills for sustained blood pressure control, which can lead to fewer cardiovascular events and improved quality of life across the community. The program encourages early intervention and lifestyle changes that benefit families, workplaces, and the overall population in Southern Maryland.
