Young at Heart? Sinatra calls Kingston men to free heart health checks
Kingston men aged 40-74 are being urged to take advantage of free heart health screening by crooning legend ‘Frank Sinatra’.
Men’s Health Week runs 14-20 June, and top Sinatra performer Stephen Triffitt has already dropped by to have his free screening, or ‘NHS Health Check’, which includes blood pressure, body mass index, cholesterol, diabetes and waist circumference testing.
The checks take just 20 minutes and are being delivered by NHS Kingston, working in partnership with UK charity the Blood Pressure Association, to help prevent heart attack and stroke in the borough.
It’s not just Kingston men who are welcome at the screening – all residents of the borough aged 40-74 are eligible, provided they haven’t already been diagnosed with high blood pressure, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, heart disease or have had a heart attack or stroke.
Dr Jonathan Hildebrand, Director of Public Health at NHS Kingston, said: “Every year hundreds of Kingston residents lose their lives because of poor cardiovascular health. That’s why we’re urging all eligible residents to stop by at the convenient surgeries and vans. It only takes 20 minutes to get screened and it could save your life.”
Mike Rich, Executive Director of UK charity the Blood Pressure Association, said: “We all know that men aren’t the best when it comes to visiting their GPs, so this Men’s Health Week we’re calling Kingston men to drop in for their free check. There’s no need for an appointment, so it really couldn’t be easier to get tested.”
During Men’s Health Week a portable screening surgery will be in the Market House in the Apple Market on the following days:
- Thursday 17 June, 11-7pm
- Friday 18 June, 10-4pm
There will also be a number of other services available in Market House on these days, including advice on alcohol consumption, smoking cessation and even exercise demonstrations.
For those that miss out on the NHS Health Checks during Men’s Health Week, there are numerous more opportunities to get tested throughout June:
- Thursday 24 June, 10am-8pm
Screening van opposite the main entrance of the Bentall Centre (Clarence St) - Friday 25 June, 10am-6pm
Screening van opposite the main entrance of the Bentall Centre (Clarence St) - Saturday 26 June, 10am-4pm
Health Fair at Hook and Chessington Library - Wednesday 30 June, 2pm-8pm
Kingnympton Estate (near playground), Kingston Hill, KT2 7RR
Visit the ‘NHS Health Checks’ area of the Blood Pressure Association’s website - www.bpassoc.org.uk - to find out more about screening dates and locations.
Notes to editors:
- The Blood Pressure Association is the UK’s blood pressure charity which aims to lower the nation’s blood pressure. For more details visit www.bpassoc.org.uk or call 020 8722 4994. For further comment, interview or images, please contact the BPA’s Press Office on 020 8772 4993 or 07939 239 012 or email acureton@sgul.ac.uk
- For further information from NHS Kingston, please contact Tony Merryweather, Communications Coordinator on 020 8339 8067 or email tony.merryweather@kpct.nhs.uk
- Stephen Triffitt will be performing as Frank Sinatra in his show ‘Sinatra Live at the Sands’ at the Rose Theatre, Kingston on Friday 25 June and Saturday 26 June. Visit the Rose Theatre website for more information: www.rosetheatrekingston.org or call the Box Office on 0871 230 1552.
For press enquiries please contact Judy Totton Publicity, on 020 7371 8158/9 or email: judy@judytotton.com