The American Heart Association installed five new blood pressure hubs at select Akron-Summit County Public Library (ASCPL) locations as part of its “Libraries with Heart” effort. The hubs were placed on Friday, July 10 and the release carries an Akron dateline of July 20, 2026. The initiative aims to expand access to screening for high blood pressure, a leading controllable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke.
High blood pressure is frequently asymptomatic and can go undetected until it contributes to serious outcomes such as heart disease or stroke. The release refers to high blood pressure as the “silent killer” and notes that nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure. Routine screening is essential because the only reliable way to know if blood pressure is healthy is to measure it.
The hub rollout is part of the American Heart Association’s broader Libraries with Heart initiative, which places screening resources in public library settings to reach people where they are. According to the source, the AHA installed five new blood pressure machines across multiple ASCPL locations on July 10. The stated aim is to provide community members with convenient, equitable access to their blood pressure readings and supporting materials.
The blood pressure hubs are available at these Akron-Summit County Public Library locations:
These five sites are the specific locations named in the announcement where community members can access the monitoring devices and related resources.
Each hub offers the following, as described in the release:
The combination of device, instructions and referral information is intended to promote accurate self-measurement and timely clinical follow-up when indicated.
Gabbi Roszman, community impact director for the American Heart Association in Northeast Ohio, is quoted describing the program’s goal: “We are meeting people where they are to ensure everyone has the chance at their longest, healthiest life,” and adding that geography should not determine life expectancy. Roszman said the new hubs will let community members know their numbers and take control of their health.
Patrick Manning, Neighborhood Services Manager for the Akron-Summit County Public Library system, noted the practical benefit of the machines: they enable early detection of hypertension, allowing individuals to address cardiovascular health before a crisis. He characterized the partnership with the American Heart Association as an example of ASCPL’s commitment to innovative community service.
The release reiterates standard blood pressure guidance: readings under 120/80 mm Hg are considered within the normal range. It states that if numbers do not fall within that range, immediate action matters. Managing blood pressure through medication, lifestyle changes and regular monitoring can significantly lower the risk of severe cardiovascular consequences, according to the announcement.
For additional information about blood pressure and strategies to keep it in check, the release directs readers to www.heart.org/bloodpressure. The source also provides contact details for media and public inquiries through the American Heart Association; specific media and public contact names and numbers appear in the original release.
The release includes a summary of the American Heart Association’s mission: the organization describes itself as working to advance longer, healthier lives and to ensure equitable health in all communities. The AHA notes its long history as a health information source, its support for research and advocacy, and its role in providing resources to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease and stroke.