15th Annual ‘Love Your Heart’ Campaign Kicks Off February 9th
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- 8 hours ago
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The County’s Love Your Heart campaign is celebrating 15 years of raising awareness of the silent dangers of heart disease. Since its launch in 2011, more than a half million people have received blood pressure screenings.
The 2026 Love Your Heart campaign runs Feb. 9 through Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, offering free screenings at dozens of locations across the region and throughout Mexico. Blood pressure screening sites are located throughout the County with a focus on priority zip codes where health disparities are high. To find a convenient site, visit LoveYourHeartSD.org.
“Please, make the time out of your busy schedule get your blood pressure checked in your neighborhood and bring a loved one with you. It only takes five minutes and you may get a life-saving surprise.” —Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States and Mexico, and the second leading cause of death in San Diego County, claiming 4,785 lives in 2023. That means the latest data shows one in five local deaths is from heart disease.
In 2024 the percentage of adults who had heart disease in San Diego rose to 7.6%, up from 6.9% the previous year, meaning 20,000 more people were diagnosed. Blood pressure is a key indicator for heart health and often one of the only warning signs.
Non-Hispanic Black residents faced the greatest burden of heart disease, with a hospitalization rate of 737.5 per 100,000, which means if the County was 100,000 people, 737 of them would be hospitalized. That rate is 1.5 times higher than the next group, Non-Hispanic Other at 482.4 per 100,000.
“Conditions linked to high blood pressure include heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease and repeatedly show up as leading causes of death across the region. So what can we do to stay healthy and live longer? First… know your blood pressure numbers… Second, make small adjustments, like a quick walk every day, choosing to take the stairs, eating more leafy green vegetables and fruits, and quitting smoking and vaping.” —Dr. Sayone Thihalolipavan, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer
The County provided 1,330 blood pressure monitors to partners in priority zip codes. Those partners are handing out the monitors to community members during Love Your Heart.
Learn more about what your numbers mean and resources to get healthy at LoveYourHeartSD.org.
By Cassie N. Saunders | February 9, 2026 | County of San Diego Communications Office
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