From Danville Regional Health System
Better Health Magazine Archives

A recent study found that nearly 10 percent of area middle school students have been found to be at risk for hypertension - which, if left untreated, is a leading cause of strokes and heart attacks. Now an organization has been formed that's focused on making much-needed improvements to the area's cardiovascular health for young and old - the Dan River Region Cardiovascular Health Initiative Program (DRchip).

DRchip is focusing its efforts on five areas. These are:
Screenings and educational programs for middle school students aimed at screening for cardiovascular risks as well as providing education for a healthier lifestyle.
Developing a Continuing Medical Education program which includes peer groups and advanced cardiovascular workshops for physicians.
Community outreach through the Search Your Heart and Heart At Work programs, both sponsored by Danville Regional Medical Center.
Case management follow-up of those identified with cardiovascular risks.
Creation of specialty clinics for hypertension where physicians can refer hard-to-treat cases.

Start-up funding for DRchip was provided primarily by the Danville Regional Health Foundation and the Consortium of Southeastern Hypertension Centers (COSHEC). One of six COSHEC-funded programs in the nation, DRchip is the only comprehensive community-based application chosen. The remaining five have university affiliations. One of the program's founders, Michael Moore, M.D., continues to serve as its medical director.

"We have an aggressive program that's already become a model for communities across America," said Executive Director Terry Motley, B.S.N. "We need to be aggressive, too, because we know there's a big problem in our area. By taking this program to the people here, we know we can save lives. That's all the motivation we need."