Our Be Sure of your Blood Pressure campaign has successfully reached its target of 10,000 free blood pressure checks for local residents.
The campaign is helping residents manage their blood pressure and improve their health.
Most people do not have any obvious symptoms if their blood pressure is too high or too low and almost half of people who have high blood pressure have no idea, so it’s really important to get it checked.
In September 2017, we were awarded £100,000 by the British Heart Foundation to deliver 10,000 blood pressure checks in the community over two years.
Working in partnership with Charlton Athletic Community Trust and the British Heart Foundation, we have toured the borough with the Be Sure roadshow – you may well have seen it in work places, town centres, community events and even local pharmacies in the borough. The final two weeks of the campaign are taking place in Woolwich town centre.
To celebrate the success of Be Sure, Cllr Danny Thorpe, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, was invited to receive the 10,000th blood pressure check in Woolwich.
Cllr Danny Thorpe receiving blood pressure check in Woolwich
Cllr Danny Thorpe said: “I’m really pleased to celebrate the success of this important campaign. High blood pressure can be dangerous as often there are no symptoms. It can put extra strain on our blood vessels, heart and other organs. It also increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke, as well as heart and kidney disease, and is linked to some forms of dementia. Getting your blood pressure checked can identify any issues and blood pressure can be reduced by making some healthy lifestyle changes.”
Beyond Be Sure, you can get your blood pressure checked at a number of places, including your GP surgery and at some pharmacies.
For more information about managing your blood pressure visit www.livewellgreenwich.org.uk/bloodpressure.