Information provided by American Heart Association. Lea este artículo en español aquí.
Patrons who visit the San Benito County Library will now be able to check their blood pressure and manage a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke. The resources are available as part of Libraries with Heart by the American Heart Association, devoted to a healthier future for all. Library card holders will also have the option to borrow blood pressure monitoring kits for at home measurement the same way they check out a book.
“Libraries are a great way to bring helpful health tools directly into the community. We know that high blood pressure is a major health threat and now our community can find tools at their local library to help them manage their heart and brain health,” said Juan A. Perez, Program Coordinator/Library Technician at San Benito County Free Library. “Through this program, community members can access blood pressure monitors along with American Heart Association resources that explain how to measure blood pressure at home, what their numbers mean and options to connect with local care providers for follow-up support.”
High blood pressure is known as the silent killer because usually it has no symptoms. The only way to know if someone has high blood pressure is to get it checked, according to the American Heart Association. Almost half of U.S. adults – 47.3% – have high blood pressure1, increasing their risk for heart attack, stroke or kidney disease. These poor health outcomes can potentially be avoided if high blood pressure is managed. Unfortunately, many people are not even aware that their blood pressure is elevated and the use of a blood pressure monitor might be difficult because of cost or lack of access. Libraries with Heart aims to improve the health of local communities by making these resources readily available for free for those who need them.
“Managing blood pressure shouldn’t be complicated or hard to access,” said Satjit Sanghera, M.D., American Heart Association volunteer medical expert and family medicine physician at Kaiser Permanente. “Libraries with Heart helps bring basic health tools and trusted information into familiar community spaces allowing San Benito County residents to take control of their health and ultimately save lives from heart disease and stroke.”
Through the non-profit Califa, twenty-four libraries in 49 locations in rural areas of California are participating in Libraries with Heart, as part of the Rural Health Connections Project which is supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.
To learn more about blood pressure, visit www.heart.org/BP.