Local Residents Urged to get ‘Pumped Up’ for Know your Numbers! Week (15-21 September 2014)
Eight million people in the UK are unaware that they are at risk of a stroke or heart attack because of their blood pressure
People from across Burton on Trent are being urged to stop by a ‘Pressure Station’ during the week of 15 September to have a free blood pressure check.
English: blood pressure measurement Deutsch: :deBlutdruckmessung (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
East Staffordshire Borough Council has teamed up with local Pharmacist Dean and Smedley and Blood Pressure UK as part of the charity’s ‘Know Your Numbers!’ Week.
The campaign is the UK’s biggest 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 attacks .
Statistics from Blood Pressure UK’s Know Your Numbers! Week in 2013 found that 11% of 16-24 year olds and 17% of 25-34 year olds had high blood pressure and around a quarter of all younger men had a high normal blood pressure.
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 returned to 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!”
Councillor Robert Hardwick, Deputy Leader for Cultural Services, said: “East Staffordshire Borough Council recognises the importance of working with health providers. Through the healthy borough initiative it proves its commitment to ensuring residents have the best possible access to health awareness. The council are proud to once again be supporting such a worthy health awareness day. The activities we have arranged are designed to educate and inform you about the health complications associated with high blood pressure – in short, to get to know our numbers!
Local residents can get their blood pressure checked for free at one of two sessions to be held at Meadowside Leisure Centre on Tuesday 16th and Thursday 18th September between 9.30am-12.00noon
For further information on Blood Pressure UK and Know Your Numbers Week go to: www.bloodpressureuk.org/microsites/kyn/Home/AboutKYN