The menu at Paramount Styles in Dix Hills features barbershop staples like basic haircuts, beard trims, and hot towel shaves.
Customers can also whiten their teeth.
On Saturday, the menu was expanded to include potentially life-saving services, courtesy of a partnership between Suffolk County and Stony Brook Medicine. Fresh-cut customers were offered polite blood pressure checks.
The Suffolk County Health Department's Office of Minority Health has launched a “Style Wellness” program as part of a larger initiative called the Suffolk County Health Outreach Partnership (SHOP). At Paramount Styles and Imperial Cut Creators in East Patchogue, Stony Brook Medicine nursing and physician assistant students screened aspiring customers.
“It's less scary than going to the doctor's office,” said Dr. Jessica Fenton, a preventive medicine resident at Stony Brook. She said, “Some people don't have the time to go to the doctor or make an individual appointment.”
Medical staff at both locations reminded customers of the importance of blood pressure monitoring, noting that high blood pressure is commonly referred to as a “silent killer” because there may be no obvious warning signs of a problem.
“You don't really know it's too expensive until something bad happens,” said nursing student Natalie Fox, who tested customers at Paramount Styles with fellow student Madison Schwartz. To tell.
The health department said its partnership with minority-owned barbershops dates back nearly 20 years, and previous efforts focused on sexually transmitted diseases, CPR and stroke.
Alex Diaz, 33, of Deer Park, missed an appointment Friday at the Dix Hills Barber Shop, where he has been getting his hair cut for the past three years. He returned Saturday and agreed to be tested after the shop owner, Luis Fuentes, finished trimming him.
Tests showed he had high blood pressure, but Fox said media cameras pointing in his direction may have caused his blood pressure to spike.
Alex Diaz got a haircut from Paramount Styles owner Luis Fuentes before taking his blood pressure test.Credit: Rick Kopstein
“Everything happens for a reason,” he said of missing an appointment the day before.
“As men, we don't really like checking our health, so we're grateful for this opportunity,” he added. I'm glad this barber shop has it. ”
Michael Martinez, 42, of Commack, said after the test that high blood pressure has plagued his family.
“I kept telling myself I needed to get back to the gym and eat better, but that's life,” said the father of three.
At Imperial Cut Creators, owner and longtime barber James Plummer reclines in his chair at the front desk mid-afternoon after about a dozen customers agree to blood pressure tests.
He said the barbershop hosted a similar program several years ago when the shop was in a different location.
“People want to know about their health and whether they have high blood pressure,” he said.
Adesuwa Watson, director of the Suffolk County Minority Health Department, said East Patchogue customers “were a little apprehensive at first, but they've been very receptive.”
“Just a reminder that this is an important indicator of your health status,” she added.
Kevin Waters, 55, of Medford, said tests showed his blood pressure was “slightly elevated.”
“But I'm sure you can reduce it with diet,” he added.
The initiative will be held April 26th at Sir Shave Barber Parlor in Wyandanch from 4:30pm to 7pm and April 27th at House of Essence in Amityville from 10am to 1pm. will continue until
Facts about blood pressure
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High blood pressure can cause stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, and vision loss.
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Being active, reducing stress, getting proper sleep, and eating a healthy diet can help keep your blood pressure normal.
- Normal blood pressure is considered less than 120/80 mmHg.
Source: American Heart Association
