The Rappahannock Medical Reserve Corps will partner with the Million Hearts initiative that has a goal to prevent 1 million heart attacks and stokes over the next five years. This partnership will promote ways to identify people at risk of cardiac arrest and ensure they get the proper treatment and reduce the need for blood pressure and cholesterol medicines.

The partnership will also promote ways people can live healthier lives through diet and exercise, while supporting smoke-free lifestyles and environments.

“The Rappahannock MRC unit enthusiastically supports Million Hearts™ as a national effort to fight heart disease and stroke,” said Colleen Hopkins, Rappahannock MRC unit leader. “Our MRC unit is promoting the Million Hearts™ initiative by providing free blood pressure screenings, free body mass index screenings, and offering educational materials about healthy behaviors to the less fortunate in our communities. We will also be promoting the Million Hearts™ website and encouraging individual commitments to make heart healthy choices.”

The Rappahannock MRC has nearly 150 volunteers, including medical and public health professionals, as well as non-medical support volunteers. The Rappahannock MRC unit participates in multiple public health activities throughout the year--ranging from flu vaccination clinics to suicide prevention social marketing projects and to disease prevention through programs like the Million Hearts™ and “Let’s Move!” campaigns.