Check it out: American Heart Association and Dartmouth Health provide blood pressure equipment to five NH public libraries

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New program helps Granite Staters combat high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke

They’ve always been a resource center for the community, and a new program in New Hampshire is letting libraries add one more important asset to their lending opportunities: blood pressure cuffs. 

Blood pressure checking on working table

High blood pressure is often referred to as “the silent killer.” Since it frequently has no symptoms, many people don’t know they have it. Five local libraries recently joined the American Heart Association and Dartmouth Health to make it easier for their patrons to keep track of their blood pressure to assess their risk of a heart attack or stroke. 

“We are excited to work with Dartmouth Health to share the American Heart Association’s blood pressure education and resources to libraries,” said Rosemary Hendrickx, the Association’s Development Director in New Hampshire. “Blood pressure is a leading risk factor for heart disease which is New Hampshire’s leading cause of death. Since high blood pressure often has no symptoms, there are very likely many people in our state with undiagnosed high blood pressure. Knowledge is power, and we’re so glad these local libraries have joined this initiative that will help prevent death and disability from both heart disease and stroke.”

All of the following libraries will have blood pressure cuffs for library patrons to borrow to track their own blood pressure.  These are helpful for people to see their blood pressure over a period of a week or two, especially if their doctor wants numbers from a range of days to confirm a diagnosis, or to monitor the effects of a medication or a lifestyle change. Most of the libraries will also have on-site stations where patrons can measure their blood pressure right at the library.

  • Maxfield Public Library in Loudon
  • Hooksett Public Library in Hooksett
  • Allenstown Public Library in Allenstown
  • Derry Public Library in Derry (program to begin in June – date TBD)
  • Merrimack Public Library in Merrimack

Libraries will have educational materials to share with patrons so they can learn more about blood pressure, and how to take their own blood pressure with these user-friendly cuffs. Please check with your local library to find out which services they offer.

Special screenings days will also be held where clinical staff from Dartmouth Health’s Heart and Vascular Center – through its Community Awareness Research and Education (CARES) program – will conduct screenings, offer education, and provide referrals for patrons with high blood pressure. These screening days will be announced once they are scheduled.

“Dartmouth Health and the American Heart Association share the goal of empowering everyone to take good care of their cardiovascular health primarily through preventative means,” said Richard J. Powell, Heart and Vascular Center director. “By making blood pressure cuffs as easily accessible as visiting your local library, and teaching people how to use them, this initiative is a great tool in helping people identify possible issues before an emergency occurs.”

“We wanted to participate in the Libraries with Heart Program because it will help our patrons access resources that will help them with their cardiovascular health,” said Christina Finemore, former Director of Maxfield Public Library. “We are always trying to find new ways to engage our patrons while connecting them to tools that will lead to a healthy lifestyle.” 

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