A new community blood pressure measuring site has opened in Riviera Beach, Florida, aimed at increasing local access to blood pressure screening and heart health information. The site launched during the week of July 20 and was announced by the American Heart Association in a news release published Aug. 7, 2026.
The AHA described the initiative as part of its mission to be a relentless force for longer, healthier lives and to ensure equitable health resources are available across communities.
The measuring site is located at Pleasant Heights Missionary Baptist Church, 1297 W. 34th Street, Riviera Beach. The installation includes a tabletop blood pressure kiosk for community use.
In addition to the kiosk, the site offers booklets that explain the proper method for checking blood pressure, guidance on interpreting readings, and tips for maintaining health. These materials are provided to support users in understanding results and next steps.
The site began operating the week of July 20 and is described as now open to residents. The installation was provided by the American Heart Association and financially supported by Palm Beach Health Network, according to the release.
The collaboration reflects local partnership to bring screening tools directly into the community setting.
Brittani Jean-Phillipe, community impact director for the Heart Association’s Palm Beach County office, is quoted in the announcement saying the goal is to make "health" accessible to everyone by placing the site in the middle of the community. The statement emphasizes helping people take control of their own well-being by reducing barriers to routine measurement.
The site’s placement within a local church is presented as a strategy to meet residents where they are and encourage routine monitoring.
The American Heart Association notes that nearly half of American adults—about 120 million people—have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to serious sequelae including stroke, heart disease, kidney disease, vision loss and sexual dysfunction.
Because hypertension often produces no symptoms, it is commonly called the "silent killer." The AHA reports that as many as 36% of patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure are not aware of their condition. Routine measurement is therefore essential to identify people who need evaluation and possible treatment.
The news release emphasizes that the best way to know if you have high blood pressure is to check it routinely and to discuss results with a health care provider. The information and resources available at the Riviera Beach site are intended to facilitate those routine checks and help users interpret their readings.
Materials at the site—booklets explaining proper measurement technique and interpretation guidance—are intended to educate community members about correct self-measurement and next steps, including seeking clinical care when indicated. The announcement does not provide details on staffing, hours of operation, or protocols for referrals; those specifics were not reported in the source.
The release includes an overview of the American Heart Association’s mission. The AHA describes itself as a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. The organization has been a source of health information for more than one hundred years and is supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, according to the release.
The AHA states it funds research, advocates for public health, and provides resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. The organization cites efforts to drive breakthroughs and implement proven solutions in science, policy and care.
The news release provides contacts for media and the public. For media inquiries the release lists Gina Sbrilli with the email Gina.sbrilli@heart.org. For public inquiries the release lists the AHA customer service number 1-800-AHA-USA1 (1-800-242-8721).
The release also references the AHA websites heart.org and stroke.org and notes that multimedia materials are subject to the AHA/ASA Multimedia Materials Usage Policy. Additional operational details for the Riviera Beach site, such as hours, maintenance, or usage data, were not reported in the source.