DEERFIELD, Ill., February 03, 2014 - In support of American Heart Month, Walgreens (NYSE: WAG) (Nasdaq: WAG) is offering free blood pressure testing at all of its pharmacies and Healthcare Clinic* at select Walgreens locations throughout the month of February.
Tests are available daily during pharmacy and clinic hours with no appointment necessary and administered by Walgreens pharmacists and Healthcare Clinic nurse practitioners and physician assistants. The free testing aims to encourage customers to know the two critical numbers that can inspire prevention or treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure), a disease that often presents no symptoms but increases the risk for heart disease and stroke.
According to the American Heart Association, 76.4 million U.S. adults have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, and 1-in-5 adults live with the “silent killer” unknowingly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages regular blood pressure tests for those with high risk factors1 including older Americans, African Americans and Americans with poor diets or living with diabetes. Walgreens is well-positioned to support anyone who wants to know their blood pressure numbers and can benefit from a wellness consultation.
“Regular health testing is one of the best ways for people to manage their health, and when it comes to blood pressure, it’s important for people to know their numbers because detection of high blood pressure can be critical,” said Harry Leider, M.D., Walgreens chief medical officer. “Our pharmacists and Healthcare Clinic nurse practitioners and physician assistants are an accessible community resource providing free blood pressure testing throughout the month as part of Walgreens commitment to help people get, stay and live well.”
Walgreens encourages its customers to know their numbers and have their blood pressure checked regularly. Tests are not done for diagnostic or treatment purposes, and individuals are advised to share their test results with their primary care physician.
Blood pressure trackers, designed to help customers monitor their numbers over time, and American Heart Association educational materials are also available through the pharmacy. Additionally, customers have the option to support the American Heart Association by providing a donation at check out.
In addition to blood pressure tests, which is available at all Walgreens and Healthcare Clinic locations, Walgreens offers comprehensive health testing daily at more than 4,100 stores in 41 states. Tests include cholesterol, blood glucose and body composition. To find the nearest Walgreens offering these other testing services, visit the store locator at www.walgreens.com/findahealthtest, or call 1-877-W-and-YOU (1-877-926-3968).
About Walgreens
As the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2013 sales of $72 billion, Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) vision is to be the first choice in health and daily living for everyone in America, and beyond. Each day, Walgreens provides more than 6 million customers the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice in communities across America. Walgreens scope of pharmacy services includes retail, specialty, infusion, medical facility and mail service, along with respiratory services. These services improve health outcomes and lower costs for payers including employers, managed care organizations, health systems, pharmacy benefit managers and the public sector. The company operates 8,200 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Take Care Health Systems is a Walgreens subsidiary that is the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health and wellness centers, provider practices, and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 750 locations throughout the country.
* Patient care services provided by Take Care Health Services, an independently owned corporation whose licensed healthcare professionals are not employed by or agents of Walgreen Co., or its subsidiaries, including Take Care Health Systems LLC.
1 NIH. The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. Bethesda, MD: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; 2003
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