LOCAL MPs PROMOTE BLOOD PRESSURE TESTING IN BID TO FIGHT STROKE AND HEART DISEASE
October 3, 2003 12:00 AM
John Thurso, MP and Jamie Stone, MSP are this week supporting the Blood Pressure Association's 'Know Your Numbers!" campaign by having their blood pressure checked at the Princes Street Medical Centre in Thurso.
The Blood Pressure Association - a national charity dedicated to raising public awareness of the importance of blood pressure - runs a national blood pressure testing week every year as part of its ongoing "Know Your Numbers!" campaign.
During this year's BPA national blood pressure testing week, thousands of people took the opportunity to have a free blood pressure check at over 2000 specially set up 'Pressure Stations' including GP surgeries, hospitals, gyms, pharmacies - and pick up information on ways to lower their blood pressure - the main cause of all stroke and heart disease.
Jamie Stone said:
"Regular health checks play a vital role in helping the early detection of any health problem. One of my own colleagues recently discovered he had diabetes when he went for a free health check at his local chemist.
I would encourage people of all ages to make the most of the local opportunities for free health checks."
John Thurso said:
"High blood pressure causes half of all strokes and heart attacks. Despite that, too many of us have no idea what our own blood pressure is and, importantly, what we can do to lower it.
I hope everyone will in the near future take the opportunity to find out their up-to date blood pressure numbers: they are our most vital statistic."
Chairman of the Blood Pressure Association and Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at St George's Hospital in London, Graham MacGregor, said, "I am delighted that Jamie Stone and John Thurso are supporting our campaign by having their blood pressure checked. One in three people in the UK have got high blood pressure and a third of those don't even know they have it. These are alarming statistics because so many deaths and disabilities from stroke and heart disease could be prevented if only people were aware of the dangers of high blood pressure. I urge everyone to find out their up-to-date blood pressure levels and to make sure that they take steps to lower their blood pressure - whatever the level."
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