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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