Campus Blood Pressure Kiosks
UA employees, students, and visitors can check their blood pressure at one of the free kiosks on campus. Create an account at one of the two blood pressure kiosks on campus and check your blood pressure regularly to track your measurements over time.
The Employee Resource Center kiosk (on the University Services Campus) is located outside the computer lab across from the multipurpose room.
The Student Center kiosk is located on the ground floor in the stairwell near the post office, Starbucks, and the Supe Store.
3,601 The number of blood pressure readings taken in 2023 at the free blood pressure kiosks on campus.
What is Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is the force applied to the walls of your body’s veins and arteries as your heart pumps blood through your circulatory system. View the interactive Anatomy of Blood Pressure to understand why managing your blood pressure is important.
High blood pressure puts excessive strain on your circulatory system and has been linked to a number of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, kidney disease, and more. But how do you know if your BP is high? The chart below from the American Heart Association describes the categories.
What can I do about high blood pressure?
First, if you know or fear that you have high blood pressure, schedule an appointment to speak with your doctor. He or she may give you advice about lifestyle changes or prescribe medication to help regulate your BP. Other things you can do every day to help control or prevent hypertension include:
Follow a meal plan or program such as the DASH Diet (dietary approaches to stop hypertension) that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and lean meats while reducing sodium, sugar, fat, and red meat. Besides lower blood pressure, benefits also include weight loss and reduced cancer risk
Regular aerobic exercise lowers blood pressure and also reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, keeping the heart and lungs healthier for longer. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends 5-7 days per week of aerobic exercise, supplemented with 2-3 days per week of resistance training and 2-3 days per week of flexibility exercise.
Hypertension isn’t just physical – it can also be a reflection of your mental or emotional state. Chronic stress is known to lead to high blood pressure, lack of sleep, and weight gain, among other things. Harvard Medical School recommends several ways to reduce blood pressure by controlling stress, including self-care and asking for help when needed.
In this free all-in-one learning tool, you can learn the risks of high blood pressure and how self-monitoring can help get it under control. Explore on your own time and download free information along the way.