The pressure is on!

Date published: 09 April 2010

It is estimated that 40% of the 150,000 strokes suffered by people in the UK each year could be prevented by controlling high blood pressure. High blood pressure is often called the ‘silent killer’ as it does not always have any symptoms. It is the single biggest risk factor for stroke yet it is estimated a quarter of adults have high blood pressure but are completely unaware of it.

The Rotary Clubs of Bury & Tottington & Bury West will be hosting a Know Your Blood Pressure event on Saturday 17 April 2010 at The Mill Gate Shopping Centre (Union St Entrance, outside 'Jessop's Camera Shop) to help highlight the risk factors of stroke to the local population.

The event will be taking place from 9.30am to 3.30pm., offering the public a free blood pressure measuring service and information on related health issues. The annual Know Your Blood Pressure Campaign is run by The Stroke Association to help people better understand the relation between high blood pressure (hypertension) and stroke.

Last year, the Know Your Blood Pressure initiative saw over 13,000 people across the UK take up the chance to have their blood pressure taken. As a result, nearly 3,000 were advised to see their GP for more tests and a further 200 were urged to seek medical advice immediately.

Tony McCarthy from the Rotary Club of Bury says “The single biggest risk factor for stroke is high blood pressure. However the blood pressure test is a short, painless and simple one so we urge people to come along to our event at The Mill Gate Shopping Centre (Union St Entrance, outside 'Jessop's Camera Shop) and get tested”

Jon Barrick, CEO of The Stroke Association said: “One of the biggest challenges is to make people understand that strokes don’t just happen to older people. They can happen to anyone, at any age. The Know Your Blood Pressure campaign plays an invaluable role in reaching out to people, encouraging them to have regular checks and take action when needed”.