Ellsworth Public Library has been selected for grant funding from the American Heart Association to become a Library with Heart, an initiative aimed at increasing access to blood pressure monitoring in our community.
The majority of the grant funds were used to purchase three validated blood pressure monitors, including one with an XL cuff size. One monitor will remain onsite for drop-in blood pressure self-checks, while the other two will be available for public checkout for up to two weeks. For those who prefer to check their blood pressure onsite, quiet study rooms and a privacy screen are available.
Each monitoring kit includes educational materials on how to properly use the blood pressure monitors, interpret the readings, understand next steps, and learn strategies to lower or prevent high blood pressure. Additionally, a referral sheet is provided to connect patrons with local healthcare providers for further information or follow-up care.
Additional grant funds are being used to expand the library’s heart health collection, featuring books such as Super Agers by Eric Topol, M.D., and The Centered Heart by Susie Amendola.
For more information about high blood pressure—including understanding your numbers, proper measurement techniques, the risks of uncontrolled hypertension, and prevention tips—please visit www.heart.org/hbp.
For details about the circulating blood pressure monitors, contact Ellsworth Public Library at 715-273-3209 or visit during open hours: Mondays and Fridays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Tuesdays through Thursdays 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., and Saturdays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.