BERLIN & BARRE, Vt., - University of Vermont Health – Central Vermont Medical Center and is hosting free community heart health events in early May and offering walk-in blood pressure screenings, heart health education and connections to local health and wellness resources. The events are open to the public, do not require an appointment and are designed to improve access to preventative heart care and education across central Vermont.

The first event will be held from 11am to 1pm Friday, May 1, in Café Conference Rooms 4 and 5 at UVM Health – Central Vermont Medical Center, 130 Fisher Road, Berlin. Attendees should enter through the hospital’s main entrance.

The second event will be held from 11am to 1pm Saturday, May 2, at Aldrich Public Library, 6 Washington Street, Barre.

“High blood pressure often has no warning signs, but it significantly increases a person’s risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease and other serious conditions,” said Emily Byrne, DNP, FNP, a primary care nurse practitioner and director of advance practice professionals at the hospital. “These events are about early detection, education and making sure every member of the communities we serve has access to the tools and resources they need to preserve or improve their health and wellness.”

Attendees can receive free blood pressure screenings and speak one-on-one with health professionals about heart health and prevention. The events will also include free heart health education, nutrition and healthy eating guidance, smoking cessation resources, information about food access programs, assistance connecting with primary care providers, and educational resources from Vermont Department of Health (VDH).

Hospital leaders said the events reflect CVMC’s commitment to health equity and increasing access to preventive services that directly address pressing public health issues and challenges throughout CVMC’s primary service area.

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can damage blood vessels and the heart, raising a person’s risk of heart disease and stroke. Heart disease is the leading cause of death nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; stroke ranked fourth among leading causes of death.

High blood pressure and stroke are also leading causes of death in Vermont. One-third of Vermonters (33%) were diagnosed with hypertension in 2023, according to the Vermont DOH’s 2026 report on heart disease. Adults with a disability, those who experience food insecurity and those with lower socioeconomic status are significantly more likely to have hypertension, according to the report.

“Removing barriers to care and increasing access to services that address both existing health challenges and prevent serious or chronic conditions from developing is at the core of CVMC and the Department of Health’s mission,” said Joan Marie Misek, a member of the hospital’s Board of Trustees and district director for the Vermont Department of Health’s Barre District Office. “Our goal is to provide respectful, welcoming education that supports healthy lifestyle choices and allows people of all ages to make informed decisions about their health and wellness.”

All community members are encouraged to attend the events. No insurance or appointment is required.

University of Vermont Health – Central Vermont Medical Center
130 Fisher Road
Berlin, VT 05602

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About Central Vermont Medical Center

University of Vermont Health – Central Vermont Medical Center is a patient-focused health care provider serving more than 66,000 residents in central Vermont. Through a 122-bed community hospital and the 153-bed Woodridge Rehabilitation and Nursing facility, as well as 25 outpatient clinics throughout the region. We deliver a full spectrum of inpatient, outpatient and long-term care services. As part of a rural academic health system, Central Vermont Medical Center combines the best of community-based care with medical innovation and research — bringing them as close to home as possible. Together, we’re addressing the social drivers of health that affect access and affordability. Through our innovative workforce development programs, housing, childcare and transportation partnerships, advancing economic stability, Central Vermont Medical Center is helping build a healthier, more equitable future for all Vermonters.

About University of Vermont Health

University of Vermont Health is a rural academic health system with more than 100 years of service to small towns and cities across Vermont and northern New York. We are deeply committed to reimagining rural health in ways that will benefit our communities for generations to come and keep exceptional care close to home. Our system includes an academic medical center, two community hospitals, three critical access hospitals, a children’s hospital, a cancer center, a multispecialty medical group, 154 outpatient sites and care beyond the hospital through home health, hospice care, four skilled nursing facilities and other support services. Our care is informed by an essential partnership with University of Vermont’s The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine and College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Together, as a health system serving a rural area, we are tackling health care’s biggest challenges — supporting the communities we serve and investing in our employees by addressing housing affordability, quality childcare and professional development needs. To learn more, visit us at www.uvmhealth.org.