The Pressure Project

The burden of high blood pressure is higher in African American adults at 56% compared to the national average of 45%.

Barbershop outreach programs, which began in the 1980s, leverage trusted relationships between barbers and clients to deliver health information and improve health outcomes in Black men. Healthy Heart Nation has launched an initiative to place blood pressure units in Black barbershops across America with online education, access to nutrition, and local resources.

The origin story of Healthy Heart Nation is rooted in community service and health awareness. Under the leadership of Danette Batiste, the organization has been dedicated to educating the African American community about the importance of blood pressure readings and their significance. Through initiatives like the Pressure Project, Healthy Heart Nation engages in organic conversations to encourage lifestyle improvements and foster a healthier future.

Blood pressure readings are crucial for health as they help identify risks of hypertension and other cardiovascular issues. The Healthy Heart Nation’s Pressure Project emphasizes the importance of understanding these readings to encourage lifestyle improvements and better health outcomes.

Elevated blood pressure (>120/80) increases the risk for heart failure, stroke, ischemic heart disease, and kidney failure. The rates of adverse outcomes for poorly controlled blood pressure disproportionately impact African Americans. Black patients with primary hypertension (formerly called “essential” hypertension) are at much greater risk of developing cardiovascular complications than other demographic groups. This is manifested, in comparison with White patients, by a threefold increase in overall cardiovascular mortality and a six- to sevenfold increase in mortality under the age of 50 years. Black patients are at significantly greater risk for stroke than White patients, especially at younger ages, due in part to the earlier onset and greater severity of hypertension. In addition, the risk of stroke at similar levels of blood pressure may be greater in Black adults than in White adults. In one study, for example, every 10 mmHg higher systolic blood pressure increased stroke risk by 24 percent in Black patients compared with 8 percent in White patients. In addition to stroke, heart failure is more common among Black individuals.

Elevated blood pressure (>140/90) increases the risk for heart failure, stroke, ischemic heart disease, and kidney failure. The rates of adverse outcomes for poorly controlled blood pressure disproportionately impact African Americans. Black patients with primary hypertension (formerly called “essential” hypertension) are at much greater risk of developing cardiovascular complications than other demographic groups. This is manifested, in comparison with White patients, by a threefold increase in overall cardiovascular mortality and a six- to sevenfold increase in mortality under the age of 50 years. Black patients are at significantly greater risk for stroke than White patients, especially at younger ages, due in part to the earlier onset and greater severity of hypertension. In addition, the risk of stroke at similar levels of blood pressure may be greater in Black adults than in White adults. In one study, for example, every 10 mmHg higher systolic blood pressure increased stroke risk by 24 percent in Black patients compared with 8 percent in White patients. In addition to stroke, heart failure is more common among Black individuals.