GREENSBORO, N.C. — Across the state, people are learning to recognize the warning signs of heart attack and stroke while getting their hair cut.

What You Need To Know

  • The Hair, Heart and Health program from The American Heart Association is expanding 

  • Sixteen barbershops and salons are participating

  • They're located in the Triad, Person, Caswell and Alamance counties

It’s thanks to the Hair, Heart and health barbershop and beauty salon hypertension initiative from The American Heart Association and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. It started in 2020, and now it’s expanding to Person, Caswell and Alamance counties.

The owner of Urban Renaissance By Prestige in Greensboro, Tevin Whiteside, said they're working on hair and hearts.  

“We discuss a lot of heart health," Whiteside said. "Things that improve your heart and health. So cardio, to the way you eat, nutrition, to the actual recipes that you put together.”

His staff and he are partnering with The American Heart Association to be trained to recognize the warning signs of a heart attack and stroke. Which he says is imperative to encourage heart-healthy behaviors.

“It boils down to being proactive," Whiteside said. "Taking the necessary precautions. Visit the doctor if you need to.”

According to The American Heart Association, over half of Black adults have high blood pressure. Black Americans also have a higher prevalence of stroke and the highest death rate from stroke than any other racial group.