Southern Indiana library helping people monitor their blood pressure with new program

A new program in southern Indiana is helping people monitor their blood pressure at the library. The Floyd County Public Library's main branch has partnered with the American Heart Association's new initiative, "Libraries With Heart." This new program allows you to check out a device to monitor your blood pressure."We're really excited to be with this first program in Southern Indiana. I think it's going to be really valuable for our community members and a great resource," said Payton Barger, the social services leader at the Floyd County Library. Each kit comes equipped with a blood pressure monitor, instructions on how to administer the test and how to read the results. A list of health providers is also provided in case a follow-up appointment is needed. Although you can check out kits, the library's main branch is also providing blood pressure screenings in their lobby. The machine will read your blood pressure and then print you a receipt in case a follow-up is needed. "Libraries are the center of a lot of our communities. When people can't get to clinics, and hospitals, and resources they can get to a library. So, being able to come to the library and have a resource like this will impact people's overall health," said Tracy Monks, the senior community impact director at the American Heart Association. The kits have been out since Friday and over 70 people have already taken advantage of the machines. A goal that Monks says they have been striving for."We're looking for ways to break down the barriers so everyone has equal access to the tools and resources to live a longer healthier life," Monks said. There are 10 kits available for checkout in the libraries. Each kit has a limit of two weeks.