Barbershop Blood Pressure Program

A recent New England Journal of Medicine study reported that black men who visited a barbershop at a pharmacist request has significantly lowered blood pressure levels six months later.

They attribute the lowering to the fact that these men would go the barber every two weeks and this resulted in more frequent measuring of blood pressure and regular follow-ups. 

Now, that got me thinking.

There are probably millions of people walking around with high blood pressure and are unaware they have it.  I mean, when your pressure is high, there are no symptoms. There are no early warnings.  The only time you learn you might have hypertension is when you go for your annual physical or have a reason to be seen for an unexpected medical problem.  Your blood pressure has to be measured with a blood pressure cuff (although I understand they are working on a fitbit-like monitor that you can wear on your wrist which automatically measures your blood pressure.)

I think it's time American business takes the initiative to make it easy for your blood pressure to be measured.

I am proposing that in order to make it easy and convenient to check your blood pressure, blood checking stations be set-up in various establishments strategically location in every city throughout America.

Fast Food Restaurants:  Yep, eat and measure. While sitting and eating your favorite meal, you reach up and wham, the digital blood pressure machine spits out the results.

Coffee shops:  Pre-caffeine and post-caffeine measurements are offered, of course. 

Gas Stations:  While your gas is pumping. your heart is too.  So why not find out which is working harder. 

Banks:  People still visit banks and there is no reason you can't find out which is higher--your blood pressure or your account!  Bank and blood do mix!

Convenience stores:  I mean, their name says it all..convenience.  "Give me a lottery ticket and blood pressure to go."

Bowling alleys:  After bowling a complete game, a blood pressure cuff pops out at your scoring table and you find out if your blood pressure is higher or lower than your score.  Bank and bowl.

Supermarkets:  Attention shoppers:  Checkout 5 takes your money and blood pressure at the same time. 

Health club:  Now this is a natural.  Exercise and learn if all that sweat is paying off.

Shopping Malls:  (Do people still shop at these?)   Conveniently located right next to the diaper changing stations in the restrooms.

Movie Theaters:  Blood Pressure concession stand.  "I'll have a popcorn, drink and blood pressure, please."  

Dry cleaners:  If you're going to be taken to the cleaners, why not get a blood pressure reading where your not "pressed" for time?  

Car washes: If your gonna have to wait anyway while your car is detailed, get cleaned and checked?   
And finally:  Airports:  Wait a minute, don't those Homeland Security Agents have enough to do?