On World Heart Day, September 29, 2026, the American Heart Association’s Greater Washington Region partnered with Kingdom Pharmacy and Bank of America to unveil a new self‑service blood pressure screening station in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, D.C. The station is intended to give residents of Ward 8, the district’s most affected area, easier access to early detection of hypertension, a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
Why the screening matters for Ward 8
Heart disease remains the top cause of death both nationwide and within the District, and Ward 8 experiences the highest rates of cardiovascular illness. Because high blood pressure often shows no symptoms, many people remain unaware until a serious event occurs. By providing a convenient, free way to check blood pressure, the station aims to improve health outcomes for a community that has been disproportionately impacted.
Community partners and leadership
Dr. Chantal Nkangnia‑Njomo, PharmD, RPh, owner and pharmacist‑in‑charge of Kingdom Pharmacy LLC, led the ribbon‑cutting ceremony. She emphasized that expanding access to screenings helps identify hypertension earlier, reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Jessica Moise, vice president of community impact for the American Heart Association, Greater Washington Region, added that the organization is committed to improving health across all eight wards through initiatives such as nutrition security, tobacco cessation and hypertension management.
How to use the station
The self‑measured screening station is located inside Kingdom Pharmacy at 2910 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE, Washington, DC 20032. It is open to the public during the following hours:
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Thursday: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Pharmacy staff are on hand to advise anyone with readings above 120/80 and can connect them with further medical care or social‑service resources.
Building on prior community health work
Last year, with support from the American Heart Association, Kingdom Pharmacy began offering screenings for nutrition insecurity and tobacco use, linking patients to relevant health and social services. The new blood pressure station expands that effort, reinforcing the pharmacy’s role as a community health hub beyond the traditional counter.
Looking ahead
The American Heart Association’s community impact mission focuses on partnering with local organizations like Kingdom Pharmacy to meet the health needs of Greater Washington residents. By equipping trusted neighborhood sites with tools for early detection, the partnership hopes to lower the burden of cardiovascular disease in Ward 8 and set a model for other underserved areas.
Original reporting: The Washington Informer — read the source article.
