Healthcare visits can be intimidating, and for some, even accessing care in the first place is a challenge.
That’s why Another Level Barbering and Cosmetology School (ALBCS) is collaborating with the American Heart Association to bring health resources to their students and clients.
On the Friday morning before World Hypertension Day (May 17), ALBCS offered $5 off services to anyone who checked their blood pressure during their visit. That day, 23 people enjoyed the discount and learned where their blood pressure stood. They also walked away with health resources to review later.
“In the African American community, the barbershop or hair salon is where we go when we want to feel our best and look our best,” said Angela Taylor, Senior Community Impact Director for the American Heart Association in Central Virginia. “Being able to provide this service in a trusted, safe space where there’s no added pressure or stress is important, and it helps make the readings more accurate.”
This initiative, which originally launched in August 2024 and is supported by Aetna Better Health of VA, aims to make health resources more accessible in the community. The American Heart Association and Central Virginia Health Services (CVHS) conduct regular hands-on trainings with ALBCS students, so they know how to accurately check their client’s blood pressure and what the different readings mean.
These regular trainings give ALCBS staff and students an opportunity to get answers to commonly asked questions about blood pressure, heart disease and other health topics. They are then encouraged to take this information and share it with their clients, their families and even incorporate it into their own lives.
“We feel very strongly about bringing awareness into the homes of our communities,” said Wesley and Candise Nicholas, owners of ALBCS. “Giving our staff, students and customers an open-door policy to screen for healthier hearts is something we will always partner to participate in.”
High blood pressure is a major health threat, and it often has no symptoms. About 55% of Black adults have high blood pressure. Black people also have higher rates of more severe high blood pressure than other ethnic groups and it develops earlier in life.
The best way to know if you have healthy blood pressure is to have it checked by a doctor or other health care professional. Learn more at heart.org/BP.