FREE blood pressure testing for Halton residents

Tuesday 17 May is World Hypertension Day and to mark this, Halton’s health bus is touring Widnes and Runcorn, Monday to Friday this week, to offer free BP checks to adults.

Anyone can turn up and get their BP checked on the day, no appointment is needed.

The bus will be staffed by members of Halton Borough Council’s Public Health and Health Improvement Teams who will also be able to offer advice about healthy lifestyles and wellbeing.

If someone is identified as having high blood pressure, the team will refer them to their GP for follow up.

High blood pressure has no obvious symptoms but it is linked to at least 50% of all strokes and heart attacks and increases the risk of kidney disease and dementia.

A blood pressure check is quick, free, painless and could save your life.

If detected high blood pressure can be easily treated, thereby reducing risk of stroke or heart disease.

Many key risk factors for developing high blood pressure are largely lifestyle-related such as eating too much salt, not enough fruit and vegetables, being overweight, drinking too much alcohol and not taking enough exercise.

High blood pressure is also more likely as you get older, if it runs in your family and if you are of African, Caribbean or South-Asian descent.

You can lower your blood pressure with lifestyle changes and if necessary by taking medication as directed by your doctor.

If you can’t get to any of these locations this week, many pharmacies across Halton will provide information and advice on simple steps to keep blood pressure under control and will measure your blood pressure accurately.

So, the message is to get your blood pressure checked and help to keep your heart happy. High blood pressure is a largely preventable and treatable condition but contributes to the leading causes of death. Having your blood pressure checked is an important step to knowing and reducing your risk of stroke, heart attack or heart failure.

Timetable for the bus: