AKRON, Ohio — According to the American Heart Association (AHA), nearly half of American adults are unaware that they are living with high blood pressure.
Because of this, the AHA and Summa Health have partnered up with 15 Akron-area barber shops, beauty shops and faith-based organizations to provide free blood pressure education through the month of October.
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According a press release from the AHA, more than 150,000 people are currently suffering from high blood pressure - enough to fill the Cleveland Browns' FirstEnergy Stadium over two times.
"The American Heart Association is focused on four health pillars: Tobacco and e-cigarettes, food security and nutrition, women & children's health and hypertension and blood pressure control, all in an effort to fight against heart disease and stroke," said Tracy Behnke, Executive Director of the American Heart Association in Summit and Portage Counties. "Summa Health has taken the lead on fighting hypertension and high blood pressure in our local communities."
Research has shown that, in the greater Akron region, African Americans have the highest percentage of adult hypertension and diabetes.
"No single risk factor has more impact on the nation's death rates from cardiovascular disease than blood pressure," Behnke continued. "It is the second most preventable cause of heart disease and stroke deaths, only second to smoking."
A full list of participating barbershops, beauty shops and faith-based organizations can be found below:
- Positive Image, 1499 S Hawkins Avenue, Akron, OH 44320
- Leia' Love Hair and Nail Salon 2950 W Market Street, Suite K, Fairlawn, OH 44333
- Beyond Expectations Barber College 2202 Romig Road, Akron, OH 44320
- Cosmetique 1338 Copley Road, Akron, OH 44320
- The One Way Barber Salon 677 West Exchange Street, Akron, OH 44320
- Stevie E's Place 733 West Market Street, Akron, OH 44303
- Transformations Barber-Beauty 1479 Sout Hawkins Avenue, Akron, OH 44320
- Regina Rae's Salon 572 West Market Street, #8, Akron, OH 44303
- Kutz Barbershop 567 V Odom Boulevard, Akron, OH 44307
- Levels Barbershop 106 South Main Street, Suite 1, Akron OH 44308
- Salon NV 1497 Aster, Akron, OH 444301
- Visions Beauty and Barbershop 854 East Exchange Street, Akron, OH 44306
- Mt. Calvery 442 Bell Street, Akron, OH 44307
- St. Andrews 591 West Hopocan Avenue, Barberton, OH 44203
- The House of the Lord 1650 Diagonal Road, Akron, OH 44320
