American Heart Association Awarded Grant from a Fund within the Community Foundation to Support Free Blood Pressure Monitoring Kiosk at the Appleton Public Library

The Appleton Public Library showcases its take-home blood pressure kits that can be checked out. Instructions come in English and Spanish.

The American Heart Association (AHA) expanded access to blood pressure monitoring in the Fox Valley with the launch of a new, publicly accessible blood pressure hub located inside the Appleton Public Library. This initiative supports the AHA’s ongoing work to improve cardiovascular health and advance health equity across Wisconsin communities.  

Made possible through a grant from the Life’s a Journey Fund within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, this new resource will support better blood pressure management for individuals and families throughout the area. The new blood pressure hub offers free, easy-to-use monitoring, along with educational materials both in English and Spanish to help users understand their readings and connect with additional care if needed. The library also has blood pressure devices that patrons can check out to use at home.  

A community member tries out the permanent kiosk at the Appleton Public Library.

“We’re thrilled to bring this resource to the Appleton community,” AHA Development Director Mark Charter said. “High blood pressure remains one of the leading risk factors for heart disease and stroke. By offering convenient access to accurate monitoring tools, we are empowering people to take an active role in managing their health.”  

A community member receives her reading, which comes out as a ticket she can take to her doctor.

Located within the renovated Appleton Public Library, supported by several funds within the Community Foundation and an important civic gathering space for residents of all ages, the blood pressure hub reinforces the library’s mission to support the well-being of the community it serves. The library’s central location and high daily foot traffic make it an ideal setting for expanding access to preventative health resources.  

“Through our ongoing partnership with the American Heart Association, we were not only able to help recognize the need for this type of resource in our community but fill that need with a grant from the Life’s a Journey Fund within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region,” said Megan Schuessler, Vice President of Donor Services and Gift Planning for the Community Foundation. “As the library is a warm and welcoming space for all people in our community, it is the perfect place for the blood pressure hub. Health and well-being are vital to a thriving community.”  

According to the AHA, high blood pressure affects nearly one in three adults in Northeast Wisconsin and is a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke. The AHA encourages residents to stop by the hub to check their blood pressure regularly, learn more about cardiovascular risk factors, and access resources to support healthier living. 

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To learn more about the American Heart Association, visit https://www.heart.org

To learn more about the blood pressure kiosk at the Appleton Public Library, visit https://apl.org/blood-pressure-hub/

To find an AHA Wisconsin Blood Pressure Screen and Refer Hubs near you, visit AHA Wisconsin Blood Pressure Screen and Refer Hubs – Google My Maps