Free blood pressure test for Horsham residents

In a bid to conquer stroke, residents from Horsham and District are invited to a free blood pressure test organised The Rotary Club of Horsham in conjunction with the Stroke Association in Swan Walk shopping centre on Saturday April 25.
'Know Your Blood Pressure Day' in Horsham SUS-150420-165644001'Know Your Blood Pressure Day' in Horsham SUS-150420-165644001
'Know Your Blood Pressure Day' in Horsham SUS-150420-165644001

High blood pressure remains the single biggest risk factor for stroke, contributing to over half (54%) of strokes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Know Your Blood Pressure day on Saturday April 25 is about raising awareness of the link between high blood pressure and stroke. Residents in Horsham and District can get their blood pressure checked by trained medical staff and receive information and advice on steps to keep it under control.

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In 2014, Rotary and the Stroke Association organised over 400 events across the UK. In the same year, Rotary GBI was honoured with a Special Recognition Award by the Stroke Association for their long-term support of the Know Your Blood Pressure Campaign.

Dr James Logan, Channel 4’s own TV Doctor, presented the Life After Stroke Award to Rotary at a prestigious awards ceremony hosted by Baroness Karen Brady.

The Rotary Club of Horsham’s President, Dave Smith, said: “Rotary’s long term support for the Know Your Blood Pressure campaign has reached hundreds of thousands of people in the last decade, potentially saving many lives. The ideal blood pressure is 120/80 but we know a significant number of people have readings above that and a quarter have dangerously high blood pressure with readings over 140/90. These events can play a big role in reducing strokes across the country. It’s clear from the results from previous years in Horsham that high blood pressure is far more common than you would think. A number of Horsham residents in past years have been surprised by the results of their blood pressure test and have benefitted from the knowledge and advice given.

“Getting your blood pressure checked is easy and quick. We hope to see many people from Horsham in Swan Walk on Saturday taking advantage of this free service; it’s a simple way to reducing your risk of having a stroke.”

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Laura McGuinness, who leads on stroke prevention at the Stroke Association said: “High blood pressure is often referred to as the silent killer because it doesn’t present symptoms and many people have no idea their health may be at risk. Over 9 million people in the UK are currently registered with high blood pressure but estimates suggest there could be up to almost 7 million people who are currently undiagnosed and at risk.”

Members of Horsham Community Responders along with local doctors and nurses will be present throughout the day to take blood pressures and give advice as a free service to Horsham residents or visitors.

Report and picture contributed by The Rotary Club of Horsham.

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