FREE blood pressure testing is being offered in Halton as part of Know Your Numbers! Week – It is easy, painless and could save your life.
Recent estimates by Public Health England suggest that more than 13,000 people in Halton (ten per cent of the population) could have undiagnosed high blood pressure, putting them at risk of strokes and heart attacks.
Halton Borough Council is urging its local residents to get their blood pressure checked as part of the UK’s biggest free blood pressure testing event held at local ‘Pressure Stations’ from 18-24 September 2017.
To find your local ‘Pressure Station’, simply go to the BPUK website and enter your postcode or town for a list of pharmacies across Halton where you can have your free BP check: http://www.bloodpressureuk.org/microsites/kyn/Home/Freebpchecks/Findfreecheck
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. Help to STOP stroke and other illnesses by knowing your numbers just like you know your height and weight.
Following your free BP check, the pharmacy will be able to give you information and advice on simple steps to keep blood pressure under control and will measure your blood pressure accurately.
Blood Pressure UK cautions that a poor diet and excess salt intake is leading more young people to develop high blood pressure putting them at risk of having an early stroke.
Figures show the proportion of strokes in working age people (those aged 25 to 64) has increased despite an overall drop in the number of strokes. Blood Pressure UK is urging people, regardless of age, to check their blood pressure as part of Know Your Numbers! Week.
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 and not taking enough exercise.
Blood pressure can be lowered by changes to your lifestyle and if necessary taking medication as directed by your doctor.
In Halton, Halton Borough Council’s Health Improvement Team’s Fresh Start and Exercise on Referral schemes have helped thousands of local residents make lifestyle changes and reduce their risk of developing serious illnesses. For more details call 0300 029 0029 or visit www.haltonhealthimprovement.co.uk
Halton Borough Council’s Executive Board Member for Health and Wellbeing, Cllr Marie Wright, said: “The message to people is to take charge of their health and get their blood pressure checked. Blood pressure is one of the most preventable and treatable conditions but remains one of the leading causes of death.
“As an individual having your blood pressure checked is the most important step that you can take to reduce your risk of stroke, heart attack or heart failure.”
Shefalee Loth, Nutritionist at Blood Pressure UK says: “Over the last few years, we have seen an increase in younger patients with high blood pressure, often as a result of too much salt and poor diet. If you start making small changes to your lifestyle when you are young, such as eating less salt, more fruit and vegetable, taking more exercise and keeping to a healthy weight, you will stay healthier and prevent strokes and heart disease.”
For further information on Blood Pressure UK and Know Your Numbers! Week, go to: http://www.bloodpressureuk.org/microsites/kyn/Home/AboutKYN