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Andrew Bridgen MP

THE SEARCH IS ON: ANDREW BRIDGEN MP IN NORTH WEST LEICESTERSHIRE IS URGING CONSTITUENTS TO GET ‘PUMPED UP’ FOR KNOW YOUR NUMBERS! WEEK

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Residents from North West Leicestershire are being urged by their local MP, Andrew Bridgen, to take part in Blood Pressure UK’s ‘Know Your Number! Week’ and undertake a free blood pressure check which might save their life.

This year, the charity’s campaign aims 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[1].

Statistics from Blood Pressure UK’s Know Your Numbers! Week last year 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!”[2]

More than 1,000 official ‘Pressure Stations’ will be open during the week of 15-21 September as part of the nation’s biggest blood pressure testing event and more than 50,000 people are expected to get their blood pressure checked across the UK.

A shocking 1 in 3 adults has high blood pressure and a third of them have no idea, as it has no symptoms. It is the UK’s biggest silent killer, responsible for 60% of strokes and 40% of heart attacks. High blood pressure is also a risk factor for kidney disease and dementia. Volunteers hosting the ‘Pressure Stations’ provide information and advice on simple steps to keep blood pressure under control.

Andrew Bridgen MP said: “I am supporting Blood Pressure UK’s Know Your Numbers! Week from 15th-21st September because high blood pressure is the UK’s biggest silent killer, being responsible for 60% of strokes and 40% of heart attacks and is also a risk factor for heart disease, kidney disease and dementia.  However, if detected, high blood pressure can be successfully managed and returned to a healthy level, which is why it’s critical to Know Your Numbers! I would encourage you to visit a Pressure Station near you to have a free blood pressure check.”

Professor Graham MacGregor, Chairman of Blood Pressure UK, added: “It’s great that Andrew Bridgen MP is supporting 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 that could be in his constituency.

“We’re grateful to everyone that supports this campaign as these free and quick checks could really be saving lives. We want this year to be the busiest yet so are urging everyone to stop by.”

For further information on Blood Pressure UK and Know Your Numbers Week, go to: http:///kyn/Home/AboutKYN 

To find your nearest check visit

 http:///kyn/Home/Freebpchecks/Findfreecheck

 


[1] Health Survey for England 2011http://www.hscic.gov.uk/catalogue/PUB09300/HSE2011-Sum-bklet.pdf

[2] Data based on 10,513 readings taken from monitoring forms during Know your Numbers! Week 2013