On the third and final day of the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology in Orlando, two very different studies were emphasized by the meeting’s vice chair, Andrew Kates, MD, in a media briefing: Blood Pressure Reductions in Black Barbershops and ANNEXA 4.
Blood Pressure Reductions in Black Barbershops
Dr. Ronald G. Victor
In the study, barbers in those 53 shops were trained to measure clients’ blood pressure and refer those with high readings to a community pharmacist for confirmation of uncontrolled high blood pressure and development of a hypertension management plan. The primary outcome is a 6-month blood pressure reading of less than 135/85 mm Hg.
“This stood out for highlighting because we’re now realizing the importance of barbershops in the community” in education and perhaps improving treatment. The data may reinforce the use of barbershops to improve hypertension,” said Dr. Kates, professor of medicine, Washington University, St. Louis.