World Record Attempt for Know your Numbers!
Thousands of Cardiff residents are being urged to roll up their sleeves on Wednesday 15 September as the Welsh capital gets set to attempt the World Record for the most blood pressures tested in one day.
Rhodri Morgan AM and former First Minister is launching the attempt, which is also being backed by Welsh Weather Presenter Siân Lloyd.
UK charity the Blood Pressure Association and Welsh occupational health provider Caer Health Services are hoping to break the world record as part of Know your Numbers! Week, the charity’s flagship campaign which this year runs from 13-19 September.
Over 20 nurses from Caer Health Services and other volunteers will be working non-stop to take more than 2,075 different blood pressures within just eight hours, to break the current Guinness World Record, which was recorded in Oviedo, Florida in 2009. That means they’ll need to check at least 13 people each per hour to smash the record!
All the action will be taking place in the heart of Cardiff at St David’s shopping centre, outside the entrances of Marks & Spencer and Debenhams, from 9am until 5pm.
Residents are being urged to join in the fun and take just a few minutes to help make record-breaking history. At the same time they’ll also be having a potentially life-saving check as undiagnosed high blood pressure causes stroke, heart attack, kidney disease and vascular dementia.
One in three UK adults have high blood pressure, yet almost three quarters of UK adults don’t know their blood pressure numbers, according to research from the Blood Pressure Association. The condition is a ‘silent killer’ so the only way to detect risk is with regular blood pressure checks. However, once detected, it can be successfully managed.
Sue Massey, Deputy Executive Director of UK charity the Blood Pressure Association, said: “We’re really excited to be attempting the World Record in Cardiff during this year’s Know your Numbers! Week.
“We can only succeed if the whole city gets involved as we need a steady stream of people throughout the entire day if we’re to break the record. We’ll not only be making history but also potentially saving many lives.
"We’re very grateful for the generosity of the team from Caer Health Services and volunteers who are helping to make this possible.”
Dr Huw Davies, Managing Director at Caer Health Services, said: “Our nurses and volunteers have their monitors ready to take as many blood pressures as they can, so we hope everyone will make a special effort to come to St David’s.
“Although the checks will be speedy, there’ll be a doctor on hand to give advice and everyone will be given an information leaflet and record card with their reading.”
Former First Minister, Rhodri Morgan AM said: "I'm delighted to be supporting this exciting blood pressure testing World Record attempt in Cardiff.
"Of course, there's also a serious message behind this. I have taken much more interest in my blood pressure in recent years than I did in my first 68 years of life. From my own experience of a near heart attack I know that there are often no obvious warning signs so, as the Blood Pressure Association says, getting regular blood pressure checks really is essential.
"Like any other person who has had a heart problem, slightly lowering your blood pressure means that you put less of a burden on your critical arteries around the heart. That is why it is so important to keep an eye on your blood pressure through regular check ups."
Welsh Weather Presenter Siân Lloyd said: "I wish the Blood Pressure Association the very best of luck with the blood pressure testing World Record attempt. It's a great way of highlighting the importance of having regular blood pressure checks and I hope everyone in Cardiff lends their support to help make it into the record books."
If you can’t get down to St David’s in Cardiff, there are 1,400 other ‘Pressure Stations’ across the nation throughout Know your Numbers! Week (13-19 September). Find out where you can get your free blood pressure check from 13-19 September by visiting www.bpassoc.org.uk or calling 020 8772 4994.
ends
Notes to Editors:
The Blood Pressure Association and Caer Health Services would like to thank St David’s Shopping Centre and Land Security for their support.
- For more information on Know your Numbers! Week or on high blood pressure, or to arrange photography, filming or interviews please contact Anna Cureton in the Blood Pressure Association’s Press Office on 020 8772 4993/4984 or email acureton@sgul.ac.uk
- For more information on Caer Health Services please contact Rachel Willis, Marketing & Business Development Officer, on 02920 881 967 or email enquiries@caerhealth.co.uk
- The Blood Pressure Association is the UK’s leading blood pressure charity working to lower the nation’s blood pressure. The charity provides information and support for people with high blood pressure and raises awareness to prevent the condition.
For more information visit the charity’s main website at www.bpassoc.org.uk or call head office on 020 8772 4994