Piedmont Macon teams up with barbershop as part of Piedmont's 'Cut the Pressure'

Warner Robins, Ga. (July 16, 2026) – Piedmont Macon teamed up with a mid-state barbershop as part of Piedmont’s “Cut the Pressure” initiative to raise awareness about the dangers of hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure.

The July 15 event at House of Styles Barbershop in Warner Robins offered free blood pressure checks to the barbershop’s clients and the barbers themselves. Abraham Butler, MD, a physician from Piedmont Primary Care at Charter Boulevard in Macon, led the conversation about the importance of people regulating their blood pressure.

“Hypertension is often called the ‘silent killer’ because many people don’t know they have high blood pressure until serious health problems develop,” Dr. Butler said. “Events like Cut the Pressure help bring lifesaving screenings directly into the community, making it easier for people to know their numbers, understand their risks and take steps to protect their health.”

In the US, nearly half of all adults – roughly 119.9 million Americans – have hypertension. It is especially disproportionately prevalent in the Black community. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says about 58% of non-Hispanic Black adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure, making it one of the highest rates in the world. Hypertension is a primary or contributing cause for more than 680,000 deaths each year in this country.

“By meeting people where they are with potentially life-saving education, we can start important conversations about prevention and connect individuals with the health resources they need to manage their blood pressure before they experience complications,” Dr. Butler said.

At the event, Piedmont Macon gave away blood pressure kits that included a blood pressure cuff, a heart-shaped stress ball, and educational materials such as a hypertension brochure, a blood pressure tracker card, and a primary care referral card. The barbershop also received blood pressure cuffs to keep on hand so they could continue blood pressure checks beyond the event.

Piedmont Macon leaders say the Cut the Pressure effort reflects a broader commitment to improving community health by expanding access to preventive care outside of traditional healthcare settings.

Visit Piedmont’s website for more information about hypertension and how to connect with Piedmont healthcare providers who can help manage blood pressure issues.