RIBIÂ and the Stroke Association will be saving lives on 20th April 2013 when they host Know Your Blood Pressure events in their local communities. Members of the public can have their blood pressure checked free of charge at local venues in a bid to raise awareness of the link between high blood pressure and strokes.
Over 400 Know Your Blood Pressure events will take place all around Great Britain and Ireland. Rotarians will be using local facilities such as church halls, shopping centres, libraries and leisure centres to carry out the checks. They will be assisted by teams of health professionals and the Stroke Association, who will provide information and advice on stroke related health issues.
It is estimated that around 16 million people in the UK and Ireland have high blood pressure and around a third are unaware of this. At least 40% of strokes could be prevented each year if people checked their blood pressure and took steps to control it.
Last year more than 30,000 people were checked at Know Your Blood Pressure events and 4,000 were found to have high blood pressure.
RIBI President, John Minhinick said: “Over the years, these events have without doubt saved thousands of people from having a stroke. It may be quite worrying to discover you are at risk but once highlighted, it is possible to make changes which will reduce that risk. Our teams will welcome anyone, even if it is just for a chat and help people find out how strokes can be prevented.”
Blood pressure can be kept under control by eating a diet low in saturated fat, exercising regularly and cutting your salt intake. Knowing your blood pressure is the vital first step.
