Wakefield pilot blood pressure campaign
Pilot Blood Pressure Campaign Launches
WAKEFIELD URGED TO ‘DROP IN’ FOR BLOOD PRESSURE TEST
Public Health England has joined local businesses, pharmacies and public services to launch a pilot campaign in Wakefield to find people with undiagnosed high blood pressure.
Nearly a third of adults (32 per cent) in Wakefield have high blood pressure, however around 30,000 people are not yet diagnosed.
High blood pressure is estimated to cause over 20% of heart attacks and 50% of strokes. Last year in Wakefield, 179 people died from a heart attack and 148 from a stroke. During the same time period, over 1,000 people in Wakefield were admitted to hospital as an emergency admission for a heart attack or stroke.
The new four-week campaign will encourage people aged 40 and over to visit one of over 50 blood pressure drop-ins set up across the area that make it convenient for people to get the free, five-minute test. Here, health workers will also be on hand to offer information and lifestyle advice, to help reduce the chances of developing high blood pressure, on a walk-in basis.
Wakefield is uniting in the search for those with undiagnosed high blood pressure – everyone from community pharmacies, Wakefield Council and West Yorkshire Police, to local businesses including Arriva, Asda and Morrisons, are playing a part in raising awareness of the campaign and encouraging their employees and customers to have the quick test.
Professor Graham MacGregor, Chairman of Blood Pressure UK supports the pilot and says
"Never mind your telephone number, the most important number you should know is your blood pressure reading and whether it's high or not. A large proportion of Wakefield residents are unaware of the fact that they are walking around with high blood pressure; knowing their numbers could save their life.
“I would therefore urge everyone over the age of 40 in the area to take advantage of this campaign and visit their local pharmacy or blood pressure drop in point today."
Cllr Janet Holme, Wakefield’s Mayor, is backing the campaign that is close to her heart:
“I am so pleased that Public Health England’s first-ever blood pressure campaign is being piloted in Wakefield and the community is really getting behind it.
“Having experienced a heart attack myself and losing my husband to the same condition last year, I know first-hand the importance of getting your blood pressure checked. It could save your life, it’s as simple as that.
“It’s a painless, five-minute test that will be widely available across the whole of Wakefield over the next four weeks. If high blood pressure is identified, there are treatments available, but time really is of the essence. If left untreated, your risk of a heart attack or stroke increases.”
For more information visit nhs.uk/bloodpressuredrop
Or contact Diane Primrose Tel: 020 2003 6319
diane.primrose@freuds.com