What to know
The resources, strategies, and plain language materials in this toolkit can help you communicate with women and their communities about the consequences of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its related conditions, such as high blood pressure.
Who should use this toolkit?
This toolkit is designed for anyone who works with patients or individuals with CVD and its related conditions.
Use these resources to help prevent CVD in your communities.
How do I use this toolkit?
- Share patient-friendly resources in your clinics and virtual waiting rooms.
- Link to plain language educational resources to help people learn about CVD and its related conditions.
- Copy social messages and graphics and share them with individuals and patients in your social networks.
Tools and resources for patients
Explore and share handouts and patient-friendly web content that patients can use to help take control of their high blood pressure and live healthier lives.
Printable and shareable handouts
Managing My Blood Pressure: Patients can use this printable list of questions to ask their health care team to help them manage their blood pressure. (Also available en español.)
My Blood Pressure Log: People can use this printable log to keep track of their blood pressure measurements at home. (Also available en español.)
My First Blood Pressure Visit: Encourage patients to record important blood pressure–related information on this page before their appointments. (Also available en español.)
The Correct Way to Measure Blood Pressure: Share this graphic with patients, family, and friends to show them the correct way to measure blood pressure. (Also available en español.)
Learn about high blood pressure
Individuals and patients
Pulse Check: Live to the Beat: Help patients learn how to manage their conditions, move more, eat healthier, stress less, and work with their health care team.
"Heart-Healthy Steps" Campaign Partner Toolkit: Share lifesaving messages to "Start Small. Live Big." to encourage adults, particularly those age 55 and older, to get back on track with the small steps, such as scheduling their medical appointments, getting active, and eating healthy.
Self-Measured Blood Pressure (SMBP) Monitoring: Resources for Patients: Share these resources with patients to show how SMBP monitoring, also known as home blood pressure monitoring, plus clinical support can help people with hypertension lower their blood pressure.
Measure Your Blood Pressure: Use this website to teach patients why they should measure their blood pressure regularly and where they can get it checked.
Prevent and Manage High Blood Pressure: Help patients manage high blood pressure with this plain language content about making healthy choices and managing other health conditions.
Tips for Taking Blood Pressure Medicines as Directed (video) Share this animated video developed by CDC to help people "stick to the 'script!".
Kids and teens
High Blood Pressure in Kids and Teens: Share this webpage about what parents can do to help their kids maintain a healthy weight and blood pressure..
Pregnant people
High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy: Use this website to help describe why high blood pressure during pregnancy should be avoided and what patients can do to manage high blood pressure before, during, and after pregnancy.
Spread the word
Share the following social media messages with your followers. Don't forget to tag @CDCHeart_Stroke in your posts and follow DHDSP and Million Hearts® on social media.
- Listen to your heart. Raise your voice. Protect your health. Women are often subject to delayed recognition, diagnosis, and treatment for heart attacks. Use this toolkit to spread the word: it's time to get loud to protect our hearts. #HeartMonth https://bit.ly/3ugjicP
- Not all women are equally impacted by cardiovascular disease: Black women are nearly 60% more likely to have high blood pressure than White women. This American Heart Month, commit to increasing awareness of barriers to equitable health care. https://bit.ly/4bvEgF6
- High blood pressure is often called the silent killer. You might not have symptoms, but it's a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Monitoring your own blood pressure at home can help you keep your blood pressure under control. #HeartMonth https://bit.ly/2iFB6U5
- Taking care of your heart can be as simple as the ABCS. Talk with your health care team about Aspirin, Blood pressure control, Cholesterol management, and Smoking cessation. Find out more about the ABCs from @MillionHeartsUS. #HeartMonth https://bit.ly/AHM23PT9
- High blood pressure control is within your reach. Use these resources to talk to your health care team about how to reach your control goal. You've got this! #HeartMonth https://bit.ly/2TPde6k
X (Twitter)
- Listen to your heart. Raise your voice. Protect your health. Women are often subject to delayed recognition, diagnosis, and treatment for heart attacks. Use this toolkit to spread the word: it's time to get loud to protect our hearts. #HeartMonth https://bit.ly/3SNmFRP
- High blood pressure accounts for 1 in 5 deaths among women in the U.S. and is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Be proactive about heart health and learn about the risk factors for high blood pressure. https://bit.ly/4brWEi6
- Listen to your heart. Raise your voice. Protect your health. High blood pressure during and after pregnancy is a leading cause of maternal illness and death. Learn the warning signs and talk to a doctor if something isn't feeling right. https://bit.ly/4bq1VXz
- Taking care of your #heart can be as simple as the ABCS. Talk with your health care team about Aspirin, #BloodPressure control, Cholesterol management, and Smoking cessation. #HeartMonth https://bit.ly/37XbNJB
- High #BloodPressure control is within your reach. Use these @CDCHeart_Stroke resources to talk to your health care team about how to reach your control goal. You've got this! #HeartMonth https://bit.ly/2TPde6k