CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — Take Care Health Systems has begun offering free blood pressure screenings at all 359 Take Care clinics nationwide through May 31.

The Walgreens retail health clinic subsidiary said Wednesday that the free blood pressure checks, designed to identify those at risk for hypertension, are available to all patients 18 years and older.

If a patient’s blood pressure is elevated, the provider will recommend a return visit to a Take Care clinic or a follow-up with a primary care provider to rule out or confirm a diagnosis of hypertension, according to the company. In that event, if a patient lacks a primary care provider, Take Care will offer a list of area providers accepting new patients.

"High blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack, heart failure, stroke and kidney disease. Given the accessibility and convenience of Take Care clinics across the country, we can play a vital role in identifying individuals with undiagnosed or untreated hypertension, helping to decrease the risk for cardiovascular disease," Take Care Health Systems president and chief executive officer Peter Miller said in a statement. "These free blood pressure screenings reinforce Take Care clinics’ commitment to offering quality health care services that meet the needs of patients and their families."

Take Care noted that according to the American Heart Association, 73 million Americans are affected by hypertension, and the condition is widely undiagnosed. What’s more, a majority of Americans with hypertension are untreated or undertreated, potentially unaware that their current behavior and treatment may not be generating adequate results.

"Nearly 22% of individuals in the United States with hypertension are unaware of their condition, according to the American Heart Association," stated Sandra Ryan, chief nurse practitioner officer for Take Care Health Systems. "Take Care nurse practitioners and physician assistants will provide free blood pressure screenings to identify at-risk patients and refer them to the appropriate level of care for treatment. In addition, Take Care health providers will serve as an educational resource to answer questions about hypertension and risk factors associated with the disease."

Additional efforts by Take Care Clinics to screen, diagnose and treat hypertension will be unveiled later this summer, the company said.

Earlier this year, Take Care took aim at another chronic condition afflicting a rising number of Americans: diabetes. In February, Take Care clinics and Walgreens offered free blood glucose screenings at thousands of locations nationwide, along with diabetes education.