In a step toward addressing Chattanooga’s elevated rates of heart disease and high blood pressure, the American Heart Association, Journey Health Foundation, Chattanooga Public Library and the City of Chattanooga’s Office of Community Health have launched the city’s first Heart Hub, a permanent cardiovascular health resource now open to the public on the first floor of the Downtown Library.
The Heart Hub, which offers free, walk-in blood pressure monitoring, bilingual health education materials and on-site referrals through a nurse navigator, aims to make preventive heart care accessible to more Chattanoogans – especially those who might not regularly see a doctor.
“Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and something that’s affected members of my own family,” Mayor Tim Kelly says. “We want to do everything we can to close the gaps in public health by increasing awareness and reducing risk.”
A hidden epidemic
The urgency of the initiative is backed by troubling statistics. AHA Chattanooga Executive Director Bennett Smith says Hamilton County’s average blood pressure is 40% higher than the national average, making cardiovascular disease an acute problem in the region.
“High blood pressure is often called the silent killer because people usually don’t feel it,” Smith says. “But sustained high pressure on the artery walls increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and other serious issues.”
The AHA recommends adults maintain a blood pressure below 120/80 mm Hg, with readings consistently above 130/80 mm Hg classified as high. (The abbreviation “mm Hg” indicates the amount of pressure exerted by blood against the walls of your arteries.) At the Heart Hub, residents can obtain instant readings and learn whether their levels fall within a healthy range – without needing to visit a clinic or pharmacy.
A trusted space for health
For Will O’Hearn, executive director of the Chattanooga Public Library, the project hits close to home. “A family member just had a major heart attack,” he says. “So seeing this here and knowing we might help someone avoid that kind of crisis makes this very real. The library has always been a place to learn and grow. The Heart Hub can help people do that.”
O’Hearn said the Heart Hub complements an existing partnership between the library and OCH, which since 2021 has operated a nurse navigator office in the Downtown branch. The office offers free health screenings, consultations, immunizations and referrals. Now, with the Heart Hub in place, residents can monitor their heart health anytime the library is open.
“The Heart Hub allows people to get vital information about their health, even if I’m not here to talk with them directly,” says Stacy Sharpe, currently the city’s only nurse navigator. “It allows more people to learn how to care for themselves.”
Sharpe said the Hub features clear instructions in English and Spanish, and the automated blood pressure monitor provides real-time readings along with reference charts to help users interpret results. “People ask all the time: What is hypertension? Why is my blood pressure high? How can I fix it? This space answers those questions and helps them act.”
A free lifeline
Every 34 seconds, someone in the U.S. dies of cardiovascular disease. The burden is heavier in the South, where diets high in sodium and fat drive up risks. In underserved neighborhoods, the dangers are often magnified.
“This is about equity as much as it’s about health,” says OCH deputy director Geeta Maharaj. “We’ve seen people with dangerously high blood pressure who’ve never had it checked. They can’t afford the time or cost to go to a pharmacy or doctor. But here, it’s free. You just walk in.”
A model with momentum
The Downtown Library Heart Hub is the city of Chattanooga’s first – but not the first of its kind. Smith says the AHA has seen “great success” with similar hubs in North Georgia and at Mount Canaan Church in Chattanooga. Plans are underway to open additional locations at city community centers, particularly in neighborhoods with limited access to medical services.
“We’re grateful to Journey Health Foundation, which funded the monitor and materials, and to our city partners who help us reach people where they already are,” says Smith.
Journey Health Foundation was formed following the sale of Hospice of Chattanooga and now focuses on improving health outcomes in the region. Smith says their support was instrumental in bringing the Heart Hub to life.
“Chattanooga is an outdoor city. People here have the potential to lead healthy lives – but they need tools and support,” Smith says. “By placing this resource in an accessible space like the library, we’re removing barriers.”
The Heart Hub is now open to the public during all Downtown Library hours. No appointment is needed, and all services are free.
Information: www.chattlibrary.org or the Office of Community Health through the city of Chattanooga.