MOUNT EATON − The American Heart Association collaborated with Red Tomato Market in Mount Eaton, to address high blood pressure in Wayne County by establishing an automated blood pressure hub.
High blood pressure is known as the silent killer because typically there are no symptoms. The condition is one of the most important risk factors for heart disease, heart failure and stroke, with over 19% of Wayne County residents diagnosed with high blood pressure and an estimated 25% more unaware they have high blood pressure.
Wayne County is home to a large Amish and Mennonite community with limited access to healthcare, making a community blood pressure hub even more vital, according to a news release. Through this collaboration, community members are now able to self-monitor their blood pressure at the automated blood pressure hub and access vital education about high blood pressure.
In addition, community members who are not connected to a primary care physician are provided a referral to Wooster Community Hospital or other local health systems for care, if needed. Wooster Community Hospital’s Amish liaison is on-site periodically as an additional resource for community members.
“This blood pressure hub is a vital step in protecting the health and wellbeing of Wayne County’s rural population,” said Valerie Weber, senior community impact director of the American Heart Association, Northeast Ohio, in the release. ”Undiagnosed high blood pressure can lead to very serious health conditions and knowing your numbers is an important step in preventing serious illness.”
The blood pressure hub helps ensure community members have access to vital equipment to self-measure their blood pressure, educational resources, and opportunities to connect with a physician in the clinical setting if needed, to improve health outcomes. This initiative is estimated to impact roughly 1,100 people annually.