Mansfield and Ashfield folk urged to get blood pressure checked

Statistics show that 30 per cent of people in the UK are affected by high blood pressure but most of the time they will not know it. Yet it’s responsible for causing very serious illnesses including heart attacks.

The plea was made this week by the 31 GP practices of NHS Mansfield and Ashfield Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to coincide with Know Your Numbers Week running from Monday (16 September) to the following Sunday.

People with high blood pressure are three times more likely to develop heart disease and stroke and twice as likely to die from these as people with a normal blood pressure.

Surgeries invited patients to visit www.bloodpressureuk.org to find their nearest pharmacy offering free checks for the 184,000 patients in Mansfield, Kirkby, Sutton and surrounding areas.

The campaign recognises that around 30 per cent of the UK population suffers from high blood pressure, which can cause serious illnesses including heart attacks.

The tests, which tell patients if their blood pressure is normal, high or low, can play an important role in reducing harm caused by heart attacks, strokes and other serious health complications resulting from high or low blood pressure.

The checks will be undertaken by full- qualified staff, with vital follow-up guidance given as necessary.

Resources and tips from the British Heart Foundation (BHF) on how to keep your heart healthy by reducing your blood cholesterol, changing diet, keeping active, reducing salt intake and maintaining a healthy weight will also be available.

The ideal blood pressure range is below 120 over 80 (120/80mmHg) but most adults in the UK have readings from 120/80mmHg to 140/90mmHg.