Erie County Clerk Mickey Kearns and Mercy Hospital Team Up

To Offer Free “Heart Healthy” Auto Bureau Blood Pressure Screenings

First screening will kick-off American Heart Month in February

What does the DMV and your blood pressure have in common? It may not be what you think.  

As part of American Heart Month in February, the Erie County Clerk’s office and Mercy Hospital of Buffalo have teamed up to offer free blood pressure screenings at auto bureaus across the county. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in Erie County and the No. 1 cause of death in the United States. In fact, Erie County residents experience 33% more heart disease death than the average U.S. citizen. The goal of the “Heart Healthy” Auto Bureau Blood Pressure Screening is to go into the non-traditional setting like a busy DMV office to promote healthier lives and help prevent heart disease and stroke in our community.

“The concept of being able to receive a mini health checkup while stopping by your local auto bureau is non-traditional and unique, that’s why I think it will be useful,” said Erie County Clerk Mickey Kearns. “The ways in which members of our community receive healthcare information are changing. We must be pervasive and expose people to health information where they would not, typically, be exposed to it. As a point in the community where a high number of people regularly visit, the auto bureaus are key places to start this heart health initiative. I want to thank Catholic Health Mercy Hospital of Buffalo for their proactive efforts to bring Heart Healthy Blood Pressure Screenings to the community.”

High blood pressure is a leading risk factor for heart disease, heart attack and stroke. It is often known as the “Silent Killer” because it usually has no symptoms which is why many people do not know they have it.

Auto Bureau Blood Pressure Screenings, continued page 2

“Our goal as one of the largest hospitals serving the Buffalo region and a partner in this Healthy Heart Auto Bureau Blood Pressure Screening program is to help make our community healthier by reducing the prevalence of heart disease and stroke,” said C.J. Urlaub, President and CEO of Mercy Hospital. “Mercy Hospital, as with other hospitals across the country, are going beyond our traditional role of caring for the sick and beginning to focus more on keeping people healthy through collaborative efforts with other community organizations.”

The “Heart Healthy” Auto Bureau Blood Pressure Screening program kicks off today, Thursday, February 1 and Friday, February 2, from 10 am to 2 pm at the Downtown Buffalo Auto Bureau at 190 Pearl Street.

Upcoming screenings will be held from 10 am to 2 pm at the following locations:

February 6th, 7th and 8th - Eastern Hills Auto Bureau

February 13th and 14th – ECC South Auto Bureau

February 21st, 22nd, 23rd – Cheektowaga Auto Bureau

February 27th – Elma Auto Bureau

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