higi, the Largest Collector and Repository of Blood Pressure Data, to Implement New ACC/AHA Blood Pressure Guidelines on 11,000 Stations Nationwide

New interoperable higi platform to enable retailers and healthcare organizations to better reach consumers for hypertension managementLAS VEGAS – March 6, 2018 – higi, a population health enablement company that empowers consumers to measure, track and act on their health data, today announced their commitment to implementing the new American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) 2017 blood pressure guidelines across the 11,000 FDA-cleared higi stations at retail stores and community locations nationwide.  As the largest collector and repository of blood pressure data in the United Sates, higi is strategically-placed in the marketplace to power the new blood pressure guidelines by engaging consumers in their health, helping them understand their biometric measurements and conveniently connecting them with the appropriate care for earlier intervention and better management of hypertension treatment plans.“At higi, we are committed to helping retailers and healthcare providers better reach consumers in their health. Following the announcement of the new blood pressure guidelines, we witnessed a nearly 30% increase in the number of higi population health screenings that will be considered hypertensive,” said higi CEO Jeff Bennett. “Through our trusted partnerships with the retail community, higi is uniquely suited to deliver a convenient population health screening venue without requiring a significant increase in medical staffing to address the increased volume of patients.”The November 2017 announcement by ACC and AHA to update the blood pressure guidelines underscores the vital importance for indiviuals to know their key biometrics, particularily blood pressure, and what it means for their personal health.  Under the new guidelines, almost two-thirds (24 million) of the 39 million higi blood pressure screenings in 2017 were in the hypertensive range.  Today, every 90-seconds a higi user, which is one in every seven Americans, learns that he/she has their blood pressure in the hypertensive crisis range (BP >180/120 mmHg).“After nearly 14 years, it was important for the hypertension guidelines to be updated. An abundance of research and evidence has repeatedly demonstrated a high number of hypertension related cardiovascular events occurring in individuals that have blood pressure previously considered in the ‘pre-hypertensive’ range (BP 120/80mmHg – 140/90mmHg),” said Dr. Khan Siddiqui, higi Chief Medical Officer and Chief Technology Officer. “With this change, health organizations, including pharmacists located at convenient points of care, will be better equipped to save lives and money by preventing more strokes, cardiovascular events and kidney failure while increasing awareness of the risk of hypertension – considered one of the deadliest ‘silent killers.’”Beginning in late March 2018, higi will implement the new blood pressure guidelines at all 11,000 higi health stations across the entire North American network. As part of this announcement, educational information will be incorporated into the higi station experience, informing consumers about the new blood pressure guidelines, what it means for their personal health and how lifestyle changes can impact their overall health.Those attending HIMSS18 in Las Vegas from March 5-9 will be able to see a demonstration of the new platform at Booth #12440 and learn more about how higi and trusted retail and health partners are empowering consumers to be their healthiest through actionable data and connected care.ABOUT HIGI:higi is a population health enablement company that empowers consumers to measure, track and act on their health data. Through a nationwide network of over 11,000 FDA-cleared self-screening stations found at pharmacy retailers and other community locations and over 80 different third-party integrations, higi makes it easier to engage consumers in their health.  As the largest repository of standardized biometric data, higi enables healthcare organizations to better reach targeted populations; collect biometric and other health determinant data to stratify and prioritize consumers; and motivate consumers to take specific actions at a point of care. To date, more than 45 million people have used a higi health station to conduct over 259 million biometric screenings. For more information, visit us at www.higi.com.CONTACT: Anna Stallmann, higi@nahigianstrategies.com, 202-660-2567