BALTIMORE, November 7, 2024 — The American Heart Association and LifeBridge Health cut the ribbon today to officially open a health kiosk that provides biometric information, including blood pressure readings, at Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport as part of the collaborative Stronger Hearts initiative.
This is the third Higi Smart Health Station — which can check heart rate, weight, body mass index, and blood pressure — placed in the Baltimore region under the multi-year Stronger Hearts initiative. Since it was placed at the airport in over the summer, it has been used nearly 3,000 times, making it the most-used of any American Heart Association-branded kiosk in the United States during that period.
Two others, at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore in Owings Mills and LifeBridge Health & Fitness in Pikesville are also in the top 5 in usage across the county.
“BWI Airport was chosen because of the shared vision of LifeBridge Health and the American Heart Association to make heart health information easy and accessible by reaching people where they are,” said Tracy Brazelton, Executive Director of the American Heart Association’s Baltimore & Greater Maryland Division.
“With over 70,000 passengers coming through BWI every day, and another 10,000 who work at the airport, it presented the perfect opportunity to do just that.”
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is the leading cause of heart disease and stroke and can be linked to more than half a million deaths in the United States each year. About half of adults over 20 in the U.S. have high blood pressure, but many don’t know because it has no obvious symptoms. Roughly 700,000 Maryland residents have uncontrolled hypertension.
“You can’t see high blood pressure,” said Dr. William Ashley, a neurosurgeon at LifeBridge Health and President-elect of the AHA’s Eastern States Regional Board of Directors. “Sometimes, you can be doing all the right things, and still be living with hypertension. That’s why it’s called the silent killer, and that’s why these Stronger Hearts Higi Smart Health Stations can be so valuable. They can help people know their numbers and save lives.”
A healthy diet, regular exercise and other lifestyle modifications can help control blood pressure but checking it regularly and knowing your numbers is the best way to diagnose hypertension.
The Stronger Hearts initiative, which began in 2018, is a collaborative effort to create meaningful change in Maryland in the fight against cardiovascular disease and stroke.
“We are so grateful for our ongoing relationship with LifeBridge Health and the Stronger Hearts initiative, which has allowed us to bring together resources to address our shared goals of the treatment and prevention of heart disease, which remains the leading cause of death in the U.S.,” Brazelton said. “We also want to express our gratitude to BWI and its incredible staff for working with us to have this Stronger Hearts health station installed at the airport, in a highly visible location, so we can reach more people than ever with this tool that can literally save lives."
The #StrongerHearts Higi Smart Health Station is located between gates A9 and A11 of the airport.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for a century. During 2024 - our Centennial year - we celebrate our rich 100-year history and accomplishments. As we forge ahead into our second century of bold discovery and impact our vision is to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries
Wayne Carter, wayne.carter@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org