The Stroke Association and Rotary International are joining forces to help raise awareness of one of the biggest risk factors for stroke: high blood pressure.
They are inviting residents in Chandler’s Ford to take a moment to have a free blood pressure test on Wednesday 10th May between 10am and 5pm at Chandler’s Ford Library.
Over half of all strokes can be caused by high blood pressure and it is estimated that over five million people across the UK don’t realise they have the condition.
Wednesday 10th May: Know Your Blood Pressure
“Know Your Blood Pressure”, on 10th May 2017, is all about raising awareness of the link between high blood pressure and stroke.
Rotary are supporting the Stroke Association with blood pressure events throughout April and the rest of the year. Rotary Club of Chandler’s Ford & Itchen Valley will be hosting free blood pressure tests at Chandler’s Ford Library on 10th May.
Stroke strikes every five minutes in the UK, but with events like these, we hope to change this. A blood pressure test is quick and painless, and it could save your life.”
Alexis Wieroniey, Deputy Director for Policy and Influencing at the Stroke Association, said:
“High blood pressure often has no symptoms, and it’s much more common than people think. That’s why we’re urging as many Chandlers Ford residents as possible to take a moment and have theirs checked at Chandlers Ford event on 10th May. A blood pressure check only takes a moment, and it’s such a simple way to reduce your risk of a stroke.”
I had my BP checked and it was found to be ‘borderline high’. Like any hypochondriac I bought a machine from Boots to check it myself.
After a few months of more exercise and a bit of weight loss, it settled back into the allowed range. This seemed to me a better way of doing it than tablets though many people need both.
It is not just stroke. Think of how much extra work the heart muscle has to do to pump 5 litres per minute of blood at 160 mmHg compared with the usual 120 mmHg.
You can check out your risk factors here stroke-risk-scorecard-engl-2015.pdf