Heart Health Awareness Event to Tackle the “Silent Killer”
Buffalo, NY – February 27, 2025 – The Buffalo Prenatal-Perinatal Network (BPPN), in collaboration with the American Heart Association, hosted a Heart Health Awareness Event at the Frank E. Merriweather Library (1324 Jefferson Ave., Buffalo, NY 14208) to address hypertension—the “silent killer.” High blood pressure (BP) often develops without symptoms but has life-threatening consequences, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. According to the CDC, nearly half of U.S. adults (48%) have high blood pressure, yet only 1 in 4 effectively manage it. As the leading cause of death in the U.S., heart disease claims 1 in every 5 lives annually, making awareness and early intervention critical.
Addressing Hypertension Disparities in Underserved Communities
High blood pressure can affect anyone—children, young adults, and seniors alike. However, systemic, economic, and environmental factors significantly impact historically underserved communities.
According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Minority Health:
Black Americans have 20% higher hypertension rates than White, Hispanic, and Asian counterparts.
Black Americans are 20% less likely to have their blood pressure under control.
American Heart Association and BPPN are committed to closing this gap by increasing access to BP monitoring, education, and life-saving resources.
Firsthand Stories Underscore Urgency
At the event, attendees heard powerful personal testimonies that highlighted the real-life impact of heart disease:
Natahsa Sanchez, a BPPN staff member and a pregnant woman, shared her journey managing high blood pressure, emphasizing the need for accessible monitoring and education.
Dr. Fred Archer, BPPN Board Member and heart attack survivor, provided an emotional perspective on how cardiovascular conditions affect you and your loved ones.
BPPN & American Heart Association: Expanding Access to BP Monitoring
"Heart health is vital for everyone, but especially for pregnant women, as high blood pressure can lead to serious complications for mom and baby," said LuAnne Brown, RN, CEO of Buffalo Prenatal Perinatal Network (BPPN). "With the right tools, education, and access to monitoring, we can empower individuals to take control of their health—leading to healthier pregnancies, stronger hearts, and a thriving community."
"Uncontrolled high blood pressure can be caused by social and economic factors, such as lack of access to care, and the only way to know you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked,” said Laurie Napoleone, Buffalo Community Impact Director for the American Heart Association. “By equipping community-based organizations with funding dedicated to mobile blood pressure kiosks and educational resources in multiple languages, the Equity-Focused Hypertension Initiative is actively working to improve the hypertension patient journey."
Lt to rt: Laurie Napoleone, Buffalo Community Impact Director for the American Heart Association; LuAnne Brown, RN, CEO Buffalo Prenatal Perinatal Network (BPPN); Natahsa Sanchez, BPPN Family Support Specialists; and Dr. Fred Archer, BPPN Board Member who shared his personal heart health story.
How to Get Involved
Want to host a blood pressure kiosk in your church, business, or community-based space? Visit www.bppn.org or call BPPN at 716-884-6711 ext. 1006.
For more on heart health and hypertension, visit:
www.heart.org/HBP
www.cdc.gov
www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov/
About Buffalo Prenatal-Perinatal Network (BPPN): BPPN empowers women, fathers, and families to take charge of their health and well-being by providing education, support, advocacy, and resource connections across Western New York. Dedicated to health equity, BPPN uplifts communities and promotes stronger, healthier families. Connect us at www.bppn.org, on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or call 716-884-6711.
About the American Heart Association: The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, on Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.