news story
10th September 2007
Local MP Has Blood Pressure Check to Support
National 'Know Your Numbers!' Week
Steve Webb MP having his blood pressure
checked by Kerry, the manager of Lloyds Pharmacy in Yate
Steve Webb, MP for Northavon has this week
demonstrated his support for UK charity the
Blood Pressure Association by having a free blood pressure check during
national 'Know Your
Numbers!' Week (10-16 September).
The MP will visited Courtside Surgery, Kennedy
Way, Yate on Monday 10th September, to highlight the importance of
knowing your blood pressure numbers during the nation's biggest annual
blood pressure testing event run by the Blood Pressure Association.
Lloyds Pharmacy is among more than 2,700 'Pressure Stations' nationwide,
including health clubs, pharmacies, GP surgeries, supermarkets and
shopping centres, offering free checks to all adults as part of the
event.
Uncontrolled and undetected high blood pressure is the biggest cause of
death and disability through stroke, heart attack and heart disease. In
a bid to encourage more people to have a blood pressure check, the BPA
has themed this year's event 'Finding the Missing Millions'. This is
because 16 million adults in the UK have high blood pressure, yet 5.3
million aren't aware of it because there are no symptoms.
Steve Webb said:
"I am supporting the Blood Pressure Association's
'Know Your Numbers!'
Week because it's shocking to realise that one in three adults has high
blood pressure, yet millions don't know it. This is a health issue that
will affect many constituents so I hope that as many people as possible
have a free blood pressure to reduce their risk."
Sue Massey, the Blood Pressure Association's Head of Communications,
said:
"We are delighted that Steve Webb is helping the BPA to
raise awareness of this serious health issue.
"Getting a blood pressure check is free, quick and painless and high
blood pressure can be controlled once it's detected. We hope that
everyone takes this opportunity to 'know their numbers' - in the same
way they know their height and weight - and takes action to lower them
if found to be raised."
To find out more about high blood pressure, or for a free information
pack on the condition, visit the BPA's website
www.bpassoc.org.uk
or call 020
8772 4994.
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