Free blood pressure check on September 16-17
Eight million people in the UK unaware they are at risk of a stroke or heart attack because of their blood pressure.
To support Blood Pressure UK’s Know Your Numbers Week™, Worthing-based Life Line Screening, the leading experts in preventive community health screening, has partnered with the nation’s blood pressure charity, to offer the people of Worthing free blood pressure checks*.
The campaign is the UK’s largest blood pressure testing event and this year’s aim is to highlight that there are eight million people in the UK that are living with high blood pressure but not being treated for it – both young and old – putting them at risk of stroke and heart attacks1. A shocking 1 in 3 adults has high blood pressure, which is responsible for 60% of strokes and 40% of heart attacks. Left untreated, the condition is also a risk factor for kidney disease and vascular dementia1.
Notoriously known as the UK’s biggest silent killer, high blood pressure doesn’t necessarily present any symptoms and so the only way to be sure of your risk is to get checked regularly. Getting your blood pressure checked provides an assessment of personal risk and hopefully the encouragement to make positive lifestyle changes if your numbers are high.
To learn more about your personal risk factors and for a FREE blood pressure check* with Life Line Screenings team of highly trained healthcare professionals visit:
· Tesco Durrington (BN13 3PB) on September 16th September, between 9am - 5pm
· ASDA Ferring (BN12 6PN) on September 17th between 9am - 5pm
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No booking or fee is required; simply turn up on the day for your free test. Volunteers hosting the ‘Pressure Stations’ will be providing information and advice on simple steps to keep blood pressure under control.
“High blood pressure is one of the biggest risk factors for stroke, heart attack and heart disease which can give rise to premature deaths and preventable disabilities,” says Dr John Coltart, Medical Director at Life Line Screening. “Every four minutes, someone in the UK suffers from a stroke or heart attack where high blood pressure has been shown to be the key cause each year2.”
Katharine Jenner, Chief Executive Officer at Blood Pressure UK, said: “16 million people in the UK have high blood pressure, but worryingly only half of them are aware of this and are being treated. These ‘missing millions’ are a ticking time bomb; putting themselves at high risk of having a stroke or a heart attack.
“However, luckily, if detected high blood pressure can be successfully managed and returnedo a healthy level which is why we are urging people of all ages to go along to our ‘Pressure Stations’ this month and to get to know their numbers. Our results from last year showed only 29% of people aged 16-34 knew their blood pressure numbers compared to 38% aged over 55, so we still have a lot of work to do. Every adult should know their most vital statistic - their blood pressure!3”
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Blood Pressure UK’s ‘Top five tips for a healthy blood pressure’:
1. Cut down on salt – Reducing your salt intake it the quickest way to lower your blood pressure. Don’t add it when cooking or at the table and check food labels – aim to eat less than 6g a day.
2. Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables – at least five different portions every day.
3. Watch your weight – try to reach the right weight for your height.
4. Exercise regularly – that doesn’t have to mean the gym, how about a regular lunchtime walk? 30 minutes five times a week is ideal. If you are unsure about taking up exercise, ask your GP.
5. Drink alcohol in moderation – no more than 3-4 units a day for men and no more than 2-3 units for women (a pint of normal strength beer = 2 units, a medium glass of wine = 2 units).
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Professor Graham MacGregor, Chairman of Blood Pressure UK, added: “It’s great that Life Line Screening is taking part in Know Your Numbers! Week 2014. With our busy lifestyles, many people are unaware that they have high blood pressure so there is a real need to raise awareness and reach those missing millions.
To learn more about your health and for more information about the full range of health screening services provided by Life Line Screening visit www.lifelinescreening.co.uk.
