Personal trainer Jackie Dickey works with client Lesley Leib in the Women's Fitness Center at the Butler YMCA on Tuesday, 3/13/18

For those struggling with high blood pressure, the thought of monitoring and addressing the disease on their own can seem daunting.

A new program in Butler County aims to equip those affected by the issue to address it on their own. The YMCA has partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to offer a blood pressure program to help participants monitor and address the disease from the comfort of their own home.

The program works to not only lower participants' blood pressure, but also to help them learn to monitor and address it themselves.

Heather Healy is a healthy heart ambassador at the Rose E. Schneider Family YMCA in Cranberry, and meets with patients throughout the week to talk and take their blood pressure.

While participants are not assigned a specific ambassador, Healy said she gets to know them and their situation.

Participants also will be encouraged to attend monthly nutrition education seminars.

To qualify for the program, participants must be at least 18 years old and be diagnosed with high blood pressure. The program is not for those who have experienced a recent cardiac event or for those with atrial fibrillation or other arrhythmias.

The cost is $40 for those without a blood pressure monitoring device. For those who already have a device, the cost is $30. Financial assistance is available to those who need it.

For more information, visit www.bcfymca.org.

Read the full story in Tuesday's Butler Eagle.