American Heart Association. INYO COUNTY FREE LIBRARY

​Checking out a book in Inyo County? Check your blood pressure too.

​Blood pressure monitors now available as part of the Libraries with Heart program from the American Heart Association

​INDEPENDENCE, May 15, 2026 — Beginning June 1 patrons who visit their local branch of the Inyo County Free Library (Big Pine, Bishop, Furnace Creek, Independence, Lone Pine, and Tecopa) will be able to check their blood pressure and manage a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke. These resources will be available as part of “Libraries with Heart,” from the American Heart Association. Library card holders will also have the option to borrow blood pressure monitoring kits for at-home measurement the same way they check out a book.

​We know that high blood pressure is a major health threat, and now members of our community can find tools at their local library to help them manage their heart health. In addition to blood pressure cuffs, each branch of the library will also provide American Heart Association information on how to properly measure blood pressure at home, an explanation of what blood pressure numbers mean, and a contact list of care providers who will provide follow-up care to anyone who needs it.

​The Bishop and Independence branches of the Inyo County Free Library are pleased to announce that they will be hosting in-person programming with Casey Michel, MS, RD, CSSD (Mammoth Hospital), and Laura Kennedy B.S.N, R.N. (Inyo County Health and Human Services) on May 21^{\text{st}} at the Bishop Library and May 28^{\text{th}} at the American Legion Hall in Independence. Each event will begin at 6:00 pm and will include helpful information including how to monitor blood pressure, nutritional tips for a heart-healthy diet, and an introduction to additional resources available throughout the county. The library encourages the community to attend. Light, heart-healthy snacks will be provided.

​High blood pressure is known as the silent killer because it often exhibits no symptoms. The only way to know if someone has high blood pressure is to get it checked, a066700ccording to the American Heart Association. Almost half of adults in the United States – 47.3% – have high blood pressure¹, increasing their risk for heart attack, stroke, or kidney disease. These poor health outcomes can be potentially avoided if high blood pressure is managed. “Libraries with Heart” aims to improve the health of local communities by making these resources readily available for free to those who need them.

​Through the non-profit Califa, twenty-four libraries in 49 locations in rural areas of California are participating in “Libraries with Heart,” as part of the Rural Health Connections Project which is supported in

​¹ https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001412?utm_campaign=2026stat-update&utm_source=heart&utm_medium=link&utm_content=statshome

​whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.

​To learn more about blood pressure, visit www.heart.org/BP.

​Additional Resources:

​2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update Fact Sheet At-a-Glance

​Web resource: High Blood Pressure | American Heart Association

​Web resource: Understanding Blood Pressure Readings | American Heart Association

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