Here’s how barbershops can help reduce hypertension among African-American men, study says

A trip to the barbershop is likely a routine activity for many men. But a visit isn’t just beneficial for their hair, according to a new report. It could also have positive effects on their blood pressure.

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Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center recently conducted a study, published in the Circulation journal, to determine the effects of stationing pharmacists at barbershops in African-American communities.

African-Americans have a higher risk of hypertension, according to previous studies, and the scientists wanted to explore how providing more access to health care could lower the risk.

For their assessment, they examined 52 Los Angeles County barbershops, which were assigned to either a pharmacist-led intervention or an active control group. In the intervention group, the barbers measured blood pressure and promoted follow-ups with pharmacists, who prescribed blood pressure medication to the subjects with permission from their primary doctors. As for the control group, the barbers took their blood pressure and only encouraged follow-ups with primary care providers along with lifestyle modification.

After analyzing the results, they found the men in the intervention group had experienced major drops in their blood pressure, compared to those in the control group. At the 12-month mark, they continued to see favorable results, particularly with systolic blood pressure, the top number in a blood pressure reading. Systolic blood pressure also measures the pressure the blood exerts against the arteries while the heart is pumping, the team noted.

"When the study began, participants had an average systolic blood pressure of 152.4 mm Hg in the intervention group and 154.6 mm Hg in the control group," the authors wrote in a statement. "At 12 months, the average systolic blood pressure fell by 28.6 mm Hg (to 123.8 mm Hg) in the intervention group and by 7.2 mm Hg (to 147.4 mm Hg) in the control group."

With the success of the program, the scientists hope to collaborate with physicians and researchers in Nashville in hopes of replicating their results.

Want to learn more about he study? Take a look here.

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