"DASH" - Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension

The "Putting DASH in Our Diets" project is a project targeted to reducing the risks for hypertension and strokes by:

1. Educating Black men about the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet;
2. Dialoguing about what hypertension, strokes and heart attacks are, the risks for each and how to prevent them via improved nutrition;
3. Ensuring men know and monitor their own blood pressures; and
4. Creating a sample two-week eating plan incorporating lessons learned from the DASH diet.

The BMHI schedules group presentations for men through men's groups in African Methodist Episcopal (AME) churches in those counties and/or towns with the highest prevalence of stroke, heart attacks and associated cardiovascular disease. The AME Sons of Allen groups were targeted in the pilot phase of the project. Note: the program can be facilitated to men in any setting.

Participants attending a "Putting DASH in Our Diets" presentation will:

1. Be educated about the DASH diet via dissemination and review of the Facts about the DASH Eating Plan information guide.
2. Discuss hypertension, strokes and heart attacks following a PowerPoint presentation entitled, "CVD - Don't Go Breakin' Your Heart";
3. Have their blood pressures taken (when permissible); and
4. Spend time creating a two-week diet plan that incorporates increased fruits and/or vegatables and improved ways of preparing foods, based on the DASH diet.

Group presentations are done on-site, in a relaxed, entertaining manner. BMHI will make the presentations to groups, provide the materials at no cost to participants, and conduct a 30-day follow-up to retake blood pressures and assess the level of compliance to the DASH diet plan.

Guide to Lowering Your Blood Pressure with DASH
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/new_dash.pdf