LEBANON — Public libraries have always been an important community resource, and a new program in New Hampshire is letting libraries add one more important asset to their lending opportunities: blood pressure cuffs.

High blood pressure is often referred to as “the silent killer.” Since it frequently has no symptoms, many people don’t know they have it. Five local libraries recently joined the Dartmouth Health and the American Heart Association’s New Hampshire chapter to make it easier for their patrons to keep track of their blood pressure to assess their risk of a heart attack or stroke.

“Dartmouth Health and the American Heart Association share the goal of empowering everyone to take good care of their cardiovascular health primarily through preventative means,” said Richard J. Powell, MD, director of Dartmouth Health’s Heart and Vascular Center. “By making blood pressure cuffs as easily accessible as visiting your local library, and teaching people how to use them, this initiative is a great tool in helping people identify possible issues before an emergency occurs.”

All of the following libraries will have blood pressure cuffs for library patrons to borrow to track their own blood pressure. These are helpful for people to see their blood pressure over a period of a week or two, especially if their doctor wants numbers from a range of days to confirm a diagnosis, or to monitor the effects of a medication or a lifestyle change. Most of the libraries will also have on-site stations where patrons can measure their blood pressure right at the library.

Maxfield Public Library (Loudon)

Hooksett Library

Allenstown Public Library

Derry Public Library (available in June)

Merrimack Public Library

Libraries will have educational materials to share with patrons so they can learn more about blood pressure, and how to take their own blood pressure with these user-friendly cuffs. Please check with your local library to find out which services they offer.

“We are excited to work with Dartmouth Health to share the American Heart Association’s blood pressure education and resources to libraries,” said Rosemary Hendrickx, the Association’s development director in New Hampshire. “Blood pressure is a leading risk factor for heart disease which is New Hampshire’s leading cause of death. Since high blood pressure often has no symptoms, there are very likely many people in our state with undiagnosed high blood pressure. Knowledge is power, and we’re so glad these local libraries have joined this initiative that will help prevent death and disability from both heart disease and stroke.”

Special screenings days will also be held where clinical staff from the Heart and Vascular Center – through its Community Awareness Research and Education (CARES) program – will conduct screenings, offer education, and provide referrals for patrons with high blood pressure. These screening days will be announced once they are scheduled.

“We wanted to participate in the Libraries with Heart Program because it will help our patrons access resources that will help them with their cardiovascular health,” said Christina Finemore, Maxfield Public Library’s director. “We are always trying to find new ways to engage our patrons while connecting them to tools that will lead to a healthy lifestyle.”